My Daily Bread

A Summary of
The Spiritual Life

Simplified and Arranged

for Daily Reading, Reflection

and Prayer

by
Anthony J. Paone, S.J.

1954

IMPRIMI POTEST: John J. McMahon, S.J.

Provincial, New York Province

NIHIL OBSTAT: Martin J. Healy, S.T.D.

Censor Librorum

IMPRIMATUR: +Thomas Edmundus Molloy, S.T.D.

Archiepiscopus-Episcopus Brooklyniensis

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 Foreward

THE CONFRATERNITY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD is privileged to

present another in its series of basic books for the Catholic family. The
Confraternity has endeavored, during a score of years, to popularize the
Liturgy, Sacred Scripture and Theology by placing in the hands of millions
throughout the world such books as My Sunday Missal, My Daily Psalm
Book, Christ in the Gospel, The New Testament, and My Way of Life.

The work here presented My Daily Bread is a summary of spiritual

doctrine so simplified and arranged that everyone can come to a knowledge
and practice of the principles of the spiritual life. It is divided into three
books which treat respectively of the three ways of the Spiritual Life:

(1) Purification -- we must reform that which has been deformed in us by sin.
(2) Imitation -- we must conform to Christ that which has been reformed.
(3) Union -- we must transform through Christ that which has been
conformed.

This book must be read, not only with the head, but with the heart. We must
think and pray. This daily exercise will transform belief into realization,
theory into practice. This work has been authored by the Rev. Anthony J.
Paone, S.J. May it prove a helpful guide to daily spiritual growth. May it
help souls to persevere in the holy resolutions which they make at the time of
confession, Holy Communion, missions, retreats, or any moment of grace.
While written primarily for the layman in the language of the layman, it will
prove helpful to the priest and religious.

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph B. Frey

Feast of Our Lady, Dec. 8, 1953

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 How to Use this Book
EVERY MAN DREAMS, at some time or other of the better person he might
have been or may yet become. This book deals with that dream -- self-
perfection. True, there are different ideals and standards of self-perfection,
but only one ideal, one standard alone, will stand the test at the judgment seat
of God. The one and only standard of goodness and perfection is the
standard which God Himself has given us. We do not have to establish an
ideal for ourselves. Our Heavenly Father has already given us one -- His
divine Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

If, like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, we had the privilege of sitting at the feet
of Jesus and listening to His precious words of wisdom, peace, and joy, who
of us would refuse to do so? Well, we can do so. Our Lord speaks to us far
more often thatn we listen. He is much closer to us than we dream. Within
one year, we would go far in self-perfection if we placed ourselves at His feet
for a few minutes each day, and heard Him tell us how to improve our daily
lives.

In this book we have some of the wonderful thoughts of Christ. Receive

them, a chapter a day, as coming directly from Him. Often, between the
lines, He will give you a message which is meant for you alone. This will be
the grace of that chapter. Gods grace will show you how to live a better life
today, and it will also bring you the strength to do so. If you use these graces
well, God will grant you greater ones. Daily you will grow more like Christ
and less like your old self.

Each chapter follows this simple plan: (a) listen; (b) think; and (c) answer
Him.

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 Contents

Book One: The Way of Purification

Conversion

After Conversion

Temptation

Conquering Bad Habits

Self-Conquest Through Mortification

Book Two: The Way of Imitation

Following Jesus in Daily Life

Virtues Leading Directly to God

Man' s Relation With His Neighbor and With Himself

The Spiritual Combat

Book Three: The Way of Union

Striving For Closer Union

Union Through the Holy Eucharist

Union Throughout the Day

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 BOOK ONE:

The Way of Purification

PART ONE:
CONVERSION
CHAPTER 1
Man's Purpose on Earth
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, the highest goal of your life is union with Me in Heaven. Let your intentions
throughout the day be guided by this truth. In all things be sure to stay on the path which
leads to Heaven. Do not become too deeply interested in the passing desires and brief
enjoyments of this earthly life.
2. I have given you everything that you are and everything you have. All things come to you
from Me, the Supreme Good. Whatever comes, accept it, use it, enjoy it, as I wish and as
much as I wish.
3. If you think only of satisfying yourself, without considering My approval, your mind
becomes confused and your will becomes weak. Mistakes and sins will rob you of peace on
earth and of unending happiness in Heaven. In all things, therefore, keep your eyes on Me.
4. Happy are those who desire only what I want, trying steadily to do My Will. Such people
do not let themselves become completely absorbed by their daily activities. They frequently
offer their activities to Me. They see the brevity of human contentment on earth.
5. Examine your motives in your daily words and actions. Find out how you may please Me
more, and avoid everything which may draw you away from Me.
THINK:

I was created for eternal happiness with God in Heaven. Everything else must take second
place in my life, because if I lose Heaven, I will be losing everything. The sure guide to
Heaven is God's holy Will. If I follow it in my daily life, every moment on earth will be a
sure step toward the perfect happiness which my heart craves.

PRAY:

My God and loving Father, grant me the wisdom to think, speak, and act each day as You
want me to. May I never be such a fool as to disagree with Your supreme goodness and
wisdom. Nothing on earth can bring me any lasting happiness. Therefore, let me never sin
for the sake of anything. I want to live for the perfect happiness for which You created me.
Amen.

~5~
CONVERSION
CHAPTER 2
The Purpose of Created Things
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, if you directed your desires according to My Will, you would learn many a
holy lesson from the events of daily life. Nothing is so small and unimportant that it does
not, in some way, reflect my wisdom and goodness. When you have become as good and
unselfish as you should be, you will find it easy to understand the deeper meaning of the
events in your daily life. An unselfish heart sees much more than what appears on the
surface.
2. I created Heaven and earth for the service of man. I have even appointed angels to help
man. In fact, I Myself am continually serving and helping man. If he lives as I desire, he
shall one day share with Me the perfect happiness of Heaven.
3. What are you doing in return for My numberless favors? You should serve Me every
single day of your life. Yet, you fail to give Me unselfish service even for one single day. I
deserve all possible obedience, all possible honor and eternal praise. To Me you owe each
breath and second of life. Without My continued support, nothing could please nor help you.
All assistance and relief is the work of My hand.
THINK:
If I ever wrote down a list of God's gifts to me, I would have to compose a book. Everything
and everybody, whatever I may mention, is a gift of God for a definite purpose. All things,
not just some things, are in my life for God's good reasons. In one way or another, they are
meant to help me earn the unending happiness and glory of Heaven. I must reject any person
or thing that leads me away from this goal by sin. All things are to be used wisely, that is, to
help me live a good and useful life. By an intelligent use and control of life's daily needs and
activities, I prove my sincere desire for God's eternal love and friendship in Heaven.
PRAY:
My God, the good things that attract me on earth are only tiny reflections of Your perfect
attraction and goodness. Let them never turn my thoughts aside from You, the Perfect Good.
I hope to turn away from anybody or anything which draws me away from You. The good
things of earth will pass away all too soon, but You will remain forever. I choose You now
by a sincere daily battle against sin. Grant me the glorious favor of pleasing You on earth
and loving You in Heaven. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 3
A Right Intention in All Things

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CHRIST:

MY CHILD, in all things I want you to have a right intention. That means that I want you to
have a supernatural purpose in whatever you think, do, or say. Whether you seek to avoid
hell, diminish your purgatory, or gain Heaven, such motives are supernatural, and therefore
they are right intentions. True, you are often unaware of your motives, but as long as you are
not in mortal sin, and your action agrees with My law, you have a right intention.
2. A right intention, however, may have different degrees of perfection. Thus, when you do
something simply to please Me, your intention is higher than if you think of your own
advantage. Still, whatever be the degree of your right intention, it always seeks to fulfill My
Will, and it always brings you a greater good than any intention which seeks only your
earthly welfare.
3. Regardless of feelings, moods, prejudices, or preferences, strive to maintain a right
intention at all times. As soon as your natural desires contradict My Will, check them as you
would check any other foolish intention.
4. Do not let life's daily events disturb nor affect you too much. Seek to know My Will and
to accept it in all things. With this pure intention, you will have a deep interior peace. This is
My gift to those who let Me govern their lives.
5. A person's intention tends to become dim as he proceeds through his daily occupations.
Gradually he is influenced more by pleasure or self-satisfaction. Therefore, renew your pure
intention at different times during the day. Offer Me each activity and avoid anything which
might lead you into sin.
6. Recall your heavenly goal from time to time. Let there be nothing great, nothing high,
nothing pleasant, nothing acceptable to you unless it helps you to follow My Will. Consider
all useless consolations and sinful pleasures as so much worthless money.
7. One who truly loves Me, hates everything which holds him back from Me. I alone, the
eternal, infinite God, the perfect joy of the soul, can bring true peace and unending
happiness to your heart.
THINK:
Where are the pleasures and joys of last year? Gone and forgotten. If they made me worse, I
shall find death and judgment a little harder to face. Why do I fail to value things according
to God's way of thinking? He wants me to live a sinless and useful life. Even my pleasures
should improve me in some way, and make me better able to do my work. Heaven is far
greater than I can ever deserve. Still I should try each day to be a little less unworthy of it.
PRAY:

Lord, what You say is true. Grant that I may follow Your words in my daily life. Your truth
shall teach me, guide me, and protect me. May it deliver me from all evil desires and foolish
love. Let me esteem nothing as great, or valuable, or wonderful, except insofar as it makes
me better and more pleasing in Your eyes. In this way I shall never be a slave of this earth,

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but shall walk daily towards Heaven with a holy freedom of heart. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 4
Holy Indifference
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, let Me do with you as I please. I know what is best for you. You think as a
human being, so that your judgments are often influenced by your feelings, moods or
prejudices.
2. I take better care of you than you could ever take of yourself. Anyone who does not give
Me his whole-hearted attention and loyalty, is taking a great risk. I alone can lead you to
eternal life. Let Me do with you as I please. Whatever I do will always be best for you.
3. Knowing all things, I know your most important needs. I want you to gain the perfect and
unending joy of Heaven. For this reason I will place you at times in a spiritual darkness of
doubts and confusion. Then again I will let you enjoy the light of My truth and joy. One day
I will console you, and on the next day you may find life hard and sorrowful. But through all
these changing conditions, remember that My hand is leading you on toward Heaven.
4. Follow My Will in all things. Be just as ready to experience suffering as to have joy, just
as glad to be poor and needy as to be well off. If you prefer My Will in all these things, you
will be preferring the Perfect Wisdom and the Highest Good.
THINK:
God made me for the perfect life of Heaven. Whatever He sends me is sent with this goal in
view. Some things I can remedy and improve in my daily life, while other things are beyond
my control. After I have done my best, I should accept the results as God's Will for me. Be it
hard or easy, pleasant or disagreeable, I can always be sure that God knows, wants and
permits what is good for my soul.
PRAY:
My God and my All, You made and control all things in my daily life. How can I forget this
truth and complain about anything? Grant me the holy dispositions which you mentioned a
moment ago. Make me equally willing to receive from Your hand the sweet and the bitter,
the joy and the sorrow. I thank you now for whatever You decide to send me. Only keep me
from sin, and I shall fear neither death nor hell. As long as You do not separate me from
You forever, nor blot me out of the book of life, whatever suffering comes to me will not
hurt me for long. Grant me the grace to see, love, and prefer Your Will in everything that
happens to me today. Amen.

CONVERSION

~8~
CHAPTER 5
Looking Away from God
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, the person who esteems anything for itself alone, forgetting My goodness and
love, will always be small and inferior like the things which he values. Whatever does not
help you to please Me, has no true value in your life. You should therefore consider it as
nothing.
2. Unless you see Me in your daily life, you will sooner or later become discontented,
wherever you are and wherever you turn.
3. If any man tries to enjoy anything as though it were his alone, he will not have a lasting
joy nor true freedom. In many ways he will find himself tied down and shut off from Me.
4. He who thinks more of earthly things than he does of Me, will find nothing but insecurity,
trouble and sorrow. He may not realize it, but he is planning his own destruction.
5. Be it ever so little, if anything is loved and valued more than it deserves, it holds you back
from Me, the Highest Good, and it weakens your soul. The man who looks only for worldly
satisfactions, becomes blind to the loving presence of his Creator.
THINK:
One who seeks only pleasure, ease, honor, or profit is a worldling, that is, he lives only for
this life. Gradually he becomes a slave of his earthly desires, so that he cannot even think of
God. He will believe in Heaven too late-when he finds its gates forever closed to him.
PRAY:
My God, I rely on Your assistance to keep myself free from the slavery of earthly
attractions. I shall use my possessions and daily enjoyments as things which You have lent
to me. May I never offend You with these gifts of Yours. As yesterday's enjoyments passed
away, so too will those of today. I want to live for the greatest Good-for You, my God and
my All. You alone are best and highest. Only You can satisfy my heart's longings forever.
Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 6
The Last and Highest Goal
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, My true friends refuse to pursue things simply because they are pleasant. They
do not want anything which has only temporary value. All their hopes and ambitions aim at
the success which I give, the success which will never pass away. They know that too much
love for earthly things can draw them away from the only lasting joy and glory. So in all
~9~
their daily activities, they keep an eye on Me and My commandments.
2. Among all the wonders of heaven and earth, there is no one like Me. My works are
supremely good and My judgments are perfectly true. By My providence the universe is
ruled.
3. Let others seek whatever else they desire besides Me. As for you, let nothing please you
except Me alone, your Hope, your Eternal Salvation.
4. Daily look for Me above all things. Try to find Me in all things. I alone am the Giver of
true peace and lasting happiness.
THINK:
No tongue can describe the peace which God gives to those who sincerely want His Will
above all else. Many never find this peace because they lack the trust and courage to live
entirely God's way. They try to obey God's law only in part. God loves the man who is
honest enough to want first things first.
PRAY:
My loving Saviour and merciful God, can I be so foolish as to think that I can find happiness
without You? Can sin ever bring me true joy when it separates me from You, the Fountain
of lasting joy? No. I hope, with Your help to keep my eyes fixed on You throughout my
daily life. I hope to avoid whatever displeases You, and to live as You wish me to live each
hour of the day. Your Will shows the way to undying peace and happiness. Let me love
Your Will in all things. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 7
Vanity in Daily Life
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, vanity is another name for foolish expectation and for useless pretense. Some
people expect too much from the good things of this world. Others pretend to be bigger than
they really are and try to attract more attention than they deserve.
2. Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity for those who do not love Me, or refuse to follow My
commandments. Nothing is permanent under the sun. When you love anything for its own
sake, and not because it helps you do My Will, you are a victim of vanity. Death shall take
all these things away from you, and nothing will be left. How wise is the man who
appreciates this truth!
3. It is vanity to strive too intently for perishable riches and to fix your hopes on them. It is
vanity also to be over-eager for honors, or to consider your self better than others. It is
vanity to follow blindly the desires of the flesh and to want things which will bring a great
penalty later on.

~ 10 ~
4. It is vanity to wish for a long life while caring little about living a good life. It is vanity to
give your entire attention to the present life without thinking of the life which will come
later. It is vanity to love only what is speedily passing away, instead of fixing your heart on
Heaven the home of endless joy.
THINK:
If the dead could relive their lives, how differently many of them would value things I Now
they know how foolish are many things for which they lived, and worked, and even sinned.
The good, however, now enjoy perfect joy and happiness with God in Heaven because they
refused to offend Him for any worldly comfort or glory. My life is my choice. Will I try to
please God in all things, or will I prefer some earthly satisfaction against His holy Will?
PRAY:
Lord, grant me heavenly wisdom, so that I may learn to seek You above everything else.
May I find You, enjoy Your presence in my life, and love You above everything else. Let
me understand all things according to their importance in Your eyes. Grant that I may
prudently avoid the flatterer and patiently bear with those who make my life more difficult.
It is great wisdom to fight the undue influence of human words and to keep my eyes on
Your holy law. In this way I shall go safely onward along the way that leads to eternal life,
unending happiness, and the only lasting success. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 8
The Voice of Conscience
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, refuse to do wrong for anything in the world. It is better to have the whole
world against you rather than have Me against you. Whoever loses Me, is losing more than
the entire world. Whatever you love on earth is but a reflection of My goodness. If you fix
your attention and interest only on worldly things or people, you will soon shut Me out and
lose My grace.
2. As soon as you become too interested in worldly pleasure and ease, your conscience
objects. You are your own worst enemy when you act against your conscience. The wrong
which you do becomes worse when you try to excuse yourself or justify your actions.
3. No man can safely enjoy life except the man whose conscience is clear. The wicked never
have true joy nor real interior peace. They may say that they have peace and that they
neither expect nor fear any harm from above Either they are lying or they are fools. My
justice will suddenly strike them and put an end to their deeds. They will think differently
then .
4. A bad conscience is afraid and disturbed A good conscience has peace even in time of
hardship. The good man's glory lies in the testimony of a good conscience.

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5. There is no true freedom nor profitable joy without a clear conscience and a holy fear of
all sin. Blessed is the man whose eyes are on Me and who keeps his earthly desires within
My law. A good life follows My wisdom and brings a deeper appreciation of this earthly
existence
THINK:
God made man intelligent enough to see that he should do what is right. And so the sinner
knows that he is a sinner. He knows that his life is not going well. If he wants to cling to
sins, he will try to excuse himself in some way, but he cannot fool himself for long. Either
he loses his peace of soul or he succeeds in dulling his conscience. The man with a dull
conscience will find distractions and interests in many things, but he has not the abiding
peace of those who live for Heaven.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, grant that I may never be insincere in my daily life. Let me always have the
strength, the courage and the loyalty to follow what is right. I do not want to choose any
temporary satisfaction or relief which is displeasing to You. Let me live for eternity by
always choosing what You want me to choose. May death never catch me by surprise. I
hope to live each hour of the day in loyalty to Your holy Will and at peace with You. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 9
Frailty of Human Nature
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, all human beings are weak. Do not think that you are stronger than others.
Circumstances do not create the weakness of a man. They simply draw it out and show what
he really is. You must be convinced of this fact. Your will is weak, and your blind human
desires are strong.
2. It should not be too hard for you to admit your frailty. See how often you are troubled by
a small matter! At times you resolve to become a better man. Then along comes a small
temptation, and away goes your resolution. just when you think you are safe, when you least
expect it, you find yourself pushed over by a slight temptation. Even when you do not give
full consent to it, your feelings and desires confuse you. Hateful imaginations rush in on you
and refuse to leave.
3. Before you can become serious about self-perfection, you must be convinced of its
necessity. See how weak you are! You often tend toward what is wrong. You confess your
sins today, and tomorrow you commit the same faults again. You resolve to be on your
guard, and an hour later you act as though you had never made the resolution. You are so
weak and unsteady. It is only right, then, that you should humble yourself and refuse to
think too highly of yourself.
4. You are more inclined to go backward than forward. You do not remain in the same state
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of mind for any length of time. Your moods and attitudes change with the changing hours of
the day. If you would only turn to Me! I can help you rise above these changing moods. Let
your heart turn to Me and find its rest in Me.

THINK:
My human nature is like a spirited horse. It must be controlled at every step. It would like to
run free and uncontrolled. Therefore, I need not be surprised at my changing feelings and
moods. They are not the higher self within me. God will honor me only for what I am trying
to be. I would improve much faster if I begged His help more frequently by prayer and the
sacraments. Too often I fail to put up a fight against my unreasonable feelings and blind
desires. At other times I try to fight them alone. Only with God's help can I make any
permanent progress. With the knowledge He gives me through His holy Church, and with
the strength He offers me in His sacraments, I can live a holy life in spite of the restless
lower self within me.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, my smallness and weakness are perfectly known to You. Have pity on me. Pull
me out of the mud of self, so that I may not be stuck in it forever. Consider the labors and
trials of my daily life. Please stand by me in my efforts. Strengthen me in my resolutions. I
have often failed because I depended on myself alone. Now, however, I shall seek advice
and direction as often as I need it. Only in this way can I hope to make progress in true and
solid virtue. Make me wise and honest in my daily efforts, so that I may no longer waste
valuable time. I hope to become at last the kind of person You want me to be. Without You I
can do nothing. Lord, help met. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 10:
Daily Renewal of Intention
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, progress in virtue depends on My grace and your own determination. My grace
is always at your disposal. It is your determination that wavers and changes. Your intention
would be more firm if you obtained more grace to help you. By prayer and sacrifice, and
with an increased use of My sacraments, seek more grace. Then you would find your will
stronger to follow your intention throughout the day.
2. It is not always enough to make good intentions in the morning. You must also recall and
renew them during the day. Examine how faithfully you are following your intention, and
seek to improve yourself in this effort. When you break your resolution, begin again. This is
far better than abandoning your good intention altogether. Anyone can make good
resolutions, but keeping them and renewing them is the work of a real man.
3. If you are afraid to start again or are discouraged by failure, it is because you do not
understand what goes on in your daily life. Without Me you can do nothing. Put your trust in
~ 13 ~
My help, Then confidently do your best to follow your resolutions. If you fail, renew your
intention at once and begin again. I will judge you more by your efforts than by your
failures. It is your natural pride that makes you afraid to begin, or discourages you when you
fail. Pride wants immediate success.
4. Be honest, and you will be humble. Make a sincere effort, but do not be surprised at your
weakness and unexpected failures. Beg for My grace, and go on trying. Leave all else in My
hands. He who keeps trying to please Me will never be abandoned by Me.

THINK:
Am I brave enough to renew my intentions and good resolutions each day, and to make an
honest effort to follow them? God's help will not fail me. My old faults will slowly
disappear as I advance in the practice of the opposite virtues. Thus, if I have a fault of
laziness, I can best conquer it by seeking more opportunities to perform good deeds. And so
will it be with my other faults.
PRAY:
Lord, let me do whatever is necessary to fight my faults and to advance in the opposite
virtues. If I need to avoid some person or place, if I have to take some particular step, let me
do so without any foolish delay. It is for Your glory and for my own greater good. Lord,
now I begin, and shall keep on beginning again and again because I desire to please You.
Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 11
An Honest Daily Effort
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, so often your thoughts are on unimportant things. You do not center them
enough on Me nor on your greatest need. After a few moments of recollection, your
thoughts go right back to useless distractions. As a result you rarely get a good look at
yourself and your actions. You hardly know your real worth because you take so little notice
of your desires, motives, and intentions. You fail to be impressed by your many faults
because you are blind to what is going on within your heart. Your interior motives are often
selfish and corrupt. Consequently, your external actions are very imperfect and
unsatisfactory. From a pure heart come the fruits of a good life, but from an imperfect heart
there can only come an imperfect life.
2. External activity proceeds from internal vigor. If you serve Me only by external
observances, you are no true follower of Mine. You must apply the ax to the root of your
troubles. Learn to control this selfish nature of yours, and you will possess My peace. I daily
offer you My grace for this divine purpose. Do not keep looking at your weakness. Do not
be afraid to make the attempt. Nothing is impossible to Me. Fix your eyes on Me and make
a sincere effort to follow My Will. Your difficulties will gradually vanish.

~ 14 ~
3. Try as you will, you will always make a number of unavoidable mistakes. Still, with a
little violence to yourself, you will gradually be able to serve Me with more ease. If you
rooted out of your life one single fault each year, you would soon become a perfect man.
Nowadays, however, people seem to be at their best at the beginning of their conversion.
They consider it a great accomplishment if they do not become worse with time.

THINK:
Many admit that they have faults. When, however, any particular fault of theirs is pointed
out to them, they will immediately justify themselves. They simply refuse to come face to
face with any particular fault of theirs. As a result they live a lifetime with little progress in
virtue. To better my life I must see and admit what is wrong. Then I can proceed to
improve myself.
PRAY:

My God, make me brave enough to face my faults, honest enough to acknowledge them, and
strong enough to fight them. I think of many things each day, but so many of my interests
are unimportant and useless. Give me the strength and the generosity to make definite
resolutions against definite faults. May I never be so selfish as to stop trying to please You
more each day. Though my faults seem to continue, still my efforts must remain firm and I
must go on trying to become daily a better man. If I will go on trying, I cannot help
becoming better each day. A continued effort will slowly destroy my selfishness, and my
faults will gradually weaken and die. Lord, on You I depend for the light and strength for
this daily battle. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 12
Extreme Love of This Life
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, learn wisdom from the folly of worldly people. See how hard they take their
worldly losses! For an earthly gain men will labor and suffer so much, but their spiritual
losses are so easily forgotten. They are often interested in matters which have little or no
value, and they negligently pass over matters which are important. Their entire attention is
often absorbed by external affairs. Unless you fight to control your thoughts, you too will be
enslaved by the passing events of the present moment.
2. How foolish are those who do not realize their miserable condition, making this passing
earthly life the only object of their desires! Some cling so to this life that, if they could
remain here forever, they would not care at all for the Kingdom of God. They would prefer
to stay on earth even though they might have to strain and struggle for the bare necessities of
this earthly existence.
3. How foolish and blind these people are! They lie buried so deep in earthly things that they
enjoy only the pleasures of the senses. In a short while, they will come to the end of their

~ 15 ~
earthly life. Then they will have a bitter realization of the uselessness and nothingness of
what they loved.
THINK:
The best way to realize the quickly-passing value of earthly attractions, is to look at them in
the past. Where are the enjoyments of last year? What became of the glory for which I
struggled so hard five years ago? What's left of last summer's pleasures? Gone! All finished
and gone! Do I want to go on living for that kind of happiness or do I want perfect, all-
satisfying-never-ending happiness? Only a fool would hesitate in answering this question.
PRAY:
Lord and Father of all intelligence, may I never be guilty of the supreme folly-the folly of
those who believe in living for today's earthly pleasures, without bothering about their
eternal salvation. In the Gospel You speak of the man who sat back and prepared to think
only of the pleasure and enjoyment of his earthly possessions. To him You said: Thou fool!
This night will they require thy soul of thee! He died that night, unprepared to face his
judge. Let me always face life's greatest fact-I live for Heaven or for hell. My earthly life
will show what choice I make. My God, give me the strength to live a holy life on earth so
that I may receive the eternal reward of Heavenly life with You. Amen.

CONVERSION
The Four Last Things
FEW THINGS in this earthly life are absolutely certain. The most undebatable of these is
death. Every man, even the atheist, will admit this much. Death, however, is not the very last
event in this life of ours. Right after death, we shall be judged. Our private judgment will be
repeated on the Day of judgment, when all men will know us for what we are.
Our judgment will depend on how we live this earthly life of ours. If we have honestly done
our best and followed the commandments of Christ, we shall be rewarded with the perfect
life of Heaven. If, however, we have disregarded His loving directions and refused to make
use of His generous help, we shall be condemned to hell.
Death, judgment, Heaven, and hell-these are the four last things toward which we are
moving each hour of the day and night. They will never frighten us if our conscience is
clear. If we love God in our daily life, that is, if we are sincerely trying to know and follow
His holy Will, we have no reason to fear.
By keeping this eternal goal ever before us, we shall think straight when life's problems and
difficulties face us. In making the following meditations, we must strive to become eternity-
minded. We must seek to guarantee to ourselves, as far as is in our power, the unending
success and unmarred happiness of Heaven.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 13

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Nearness of Death
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, in a little while this earthly life of yours will be over. just how ready are you to
enter into the next Life? Man exists today, and tomorrow he is seen no more. When he is out
of sight, he is quickly also out of mind. The human heart can be so dull and hard! It fixes its
attention on things present. It often fails to provide for the things that are to come.
2. In the morning consider for a moment the fact that you may not live till evening. When
evening comes do not be too confident that you will see the next morning. These thoughts
should not make you gloomy, but practical. Live in such a way that death will never find
you unprepared. Live each day as you would want to live the last day of your life. Too many
die suddenly and unprepared. I have warned everyone: The Son of Man will come at that
hour when He is not expected.
3. How many have deceived themselves into thinking that they still had plenty of time. They
were snatched unexpectedly from this life. How often have you heard that someone was
killed in a fight; another was drowned; another fell and broke his neck? This man died while
sitting at table. That one passed away while enjoying a game. Some die by fire; some by
violence; some are destroyed by disease; some are killed at the hands of robbers. Thus death
brings an end to all, and man's life suddenly passes away like a fleeting shadow.
THINK:
Why should I refuse to face facts? Will I die any sooner if I think of death? Or am I going to
escape death if I never think of it. The most terrible death which can come to me is the death
which will find me in mortal sin. Every other aspect of death is a passing thing, but this last
phasethe unprovided deathwill hurt me forever.
Death, with all its uncertainties, is a fact. I should face facts and see what can be done about
them. What can I do about death? I can live in such a way that no matter when death comes,
it will find me in sanctifying grace.
PRAY:
Lord, for those in mortal sin, death is the gateway to hell, but for those in sanctifying grace,
it is the pathway to Heaven. Let my greatest desire in life be to live in such a way that I can
die fearlessly at any moment. Let me fear sin more than death or any other earthly harm.
Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 14
Man's Last Moments
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when your last hour arrives, you will see this earthly life in a new

~ 17 ~
light. If you were neglectful and careless about My law, you will have great regret. If you
lived as I desire, your heart will be full of joy.
2. The time is coming when you would like to have another day, or even one more hour, to
make up for the past. Take your day and your hour now that you have the time. Who can
guarantee you another hour when you feel life slipping away?

3. Death may come at any time. Always be ready for it. In this way you will be free of fear
or danger, no matter when My angel calls you from this life. Live in such a way that the
hour of death may bring you joy rather than fear.
4. Never love any earthly thing too much. Place your confidence in Me and look to Me as
your greatest Treasure. I am far more to you than you can even suspect. A weak soul is
enslaved by its earthly desires and loves. The prayerful man gains a heavenly liberty from
this life, a liberty which is not understood by worldly men.
THINK:
No matter what my interests may be, or how important they may seem, when death comes, I
will leave everything and go to my judgment at once. Others will take my place and assume
my importance and my activities. Few people know that their death is near. Most men are
surprised by the arrival of death. To those who love God, it is a cause of joy. To those who
love this earthly life too much, it is a painful parting.
PRAY:
My God, make me wise in my esteem for the work, the pleasures, the honor and the
successes of this earthly life. Let me want nothing that might separate me from You. My
first interest shall be to please You, to do everything as You desire. In this way, I hope to be
ready for eternity every moment of the day. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 15
The Peace of a Good Conscience
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, if you have a good conscience, you need not have any fear of death. It is better
to try to avoid sin than to try to escape death.
2. A wise man reflects often on the hour of death, so as to be prepared for it at all times.
3. If you want to please Me, try to become today the kind of man you would like to be at the
time of your death. Make this effort, and death will find you full of confidence and peace.
For this must you daily strive: a healthy contempt for worldly comforts, a burning desire to
advance in virtue, a love of right order in your actions, a spirit of penance, readiness to obey
authority, self-discipline, and patience to bear adversity for My sake.

~ 18 ~
THINK:
A good conscience means that I have honestly tried to learn what God desires of me, and I
have sincerely tried to do what He desires. Without these two efforts there is no good
conscience. A man who knows that he has really made those two efforts, has a good
conscience. To such a man, God gives His peace. Others may be distracted with earthly
activities and interests, but they do not have that interior peace which can remain calm even
in the face of death.
PRAY:
My God, I hope to obtain Your holy assistance so that I may never avoid learning Your holy
Will, nor ever fail to follow it in my daily life. I may find a little less pleasure if I follow
Your Will, but I shall enjoy Your peace, which is greater than any pleasure. If ever I become
selfish enough to avoid Your Will, let my conscience disturb and annoy me until I return to
You. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 16
Being Ready for Death
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, your actions and thoughts should always be as orderly as though you expected
to die this day. If you are unprepared today, how will you be prepared tomorrow? Tomorrow
is uncertain. How do you know that you will be alive tomorrow? If you have ever seen
person pass away, just reflect that you too must pass away as he did.
2. You can do many good works while you enjoy good health, but when you are sick, who
knows what you will be able to do? Few people are improved by sickness. So too, those
who have too many worldly interests seldom increase in holiness, because they are full of
distractions. Recollection and prayer are the seeds of a good life; and a good life is the path
to a holy death.
3. It is better to provide for yourself while you are still here in this life. Do not rely on the
prayers and help of others after your death. The present time is precious. Now is your
opportunity. This is your day of salvation. Spend today profitably. Send your prayers,
sacrifices and good works to Me before you come to Me to be judged. It is within your
power to earn eternal life by a wise use of this present time.
4. Think often of death, and remember that time lost will never return. You have not a
lasting dwelling on this earth. In this life you are like a traveler. You will never have rest
until you are united with Me, your Saviour.
THINK:
Few things are certain in this earthly life. The most certain fact of all is that I am to die.
When? Where? How? I know not. That I shall die, however, is certain. Many people are
dying at this very moment. I am too busy with my own life to give much thought to them.
~ 19 ~
So will it be when I am dying. That moment will be very important to me, but the world will
go right on about its business. If I do not prepare for death by a good life, I am a fool.
PRAY:

Lord, let me not fear death with an empty fear, but with a wise and holy fear. An empty fear
does not make men any better, but a wise and holy fear urges them to improve their lives. I
will prepare for death by trying today to please you more and more in my thoughts, desires,
words and actions. If I live this day as You desire, I shall be ready at any moment, and death
will be nothing worse than Your loving call. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 17
The Coming Judgment
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, you must one day give a full account of your earthly life. How will you stand
before Me, the just judge, from Whom nothing is hidden? I take no bribes and accept no
excuses. At present you can take advantage of My Divine Mercy. When this earthly life is
over, you will receive strict justice.
2. Can you be so great a fool as to go on putting off your good resolutions, when pardon can
be so easily obtained now? If you go on postponing your resolutions, how will you face My
Divine justice-you who are sometimes frightened by an angry fellow-human?
3. Why not begin today to prepare for the day of judgment? You will find it far less terrible
if you begin now to live as I command. On the day of judgment no man can be excused or
defended by another. Each one will find it difficult enough to answer for his own sins.
THINK:
While I am on earth, my efforts are useful, my tears are acceptable, my sorrow has power to
purify my soul. God desires to forgive me here and now. It is better to wash away my sins
and correct my bad habits now, rather than leave them for purification after death. I am
deceiving myself when I follow my feelings and put off my repentance and resolutions.
PRAY:
Lord, let me think of my sins and be sorry for them, so that on the day of judgment, I may
enjoy security with Your angels and saints. Teach me to do penance in little things now, so
that I may not be subjected to worse sufferings hereafter. True, I should do all of this in
loyalty to You. Yet, I am so selfish that I must have some fear to spur me on when my love
for You fails. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 18

~ 20 ~
The Day of Judgment
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, those who are loyal to My commandments in this life, will not be in terror on
the Day of judgment. The sign of the cross will appear in the sky when I come to judge the
world. Then all my loyal followers, the followers of the cross, will come with great
confidence to Me, their crucified King and judge.
2. On that day, the just shall stand against those who annoyed and persecuted them. Those
who humbly bore the judgments of their fellowmen, will rise to judge the rest on that day.
The poor and the humble will have great confidence and joy, but the proud and the selfish
lovers of this world will have many reasons to be afraid.
3. In that hour everyone will see that the wisest people were those who preferred to follow
My commandments and live My way. They will no longer be considered fools by the
worldly-minded. All wrong-doing will be silenced and condemned, while every suffering
endured with patience, will bring joy and gladness. The unreligious will be sad, but My
devoted followers will be filled with happiness. Many will thank Me for the hardships and
trials which they bore on earth. That day will show forth My power, wisdom, and majesty.
THINK:
Like a river that flows ever onward toward the sea, the current of daily life moves ever
onward toward the Day of judgment. That day will correct the wrong standards and foolish
ideals of worldly men. It will be the Day of Truth, the triumph of holiness. Will I drift along
on my daily course or will I regularly check my direction by an intelligent self-
examination? I prepare for a joyful judgment or a fearful one by the kind of life I live today.
PRAY:
O Jesus, My judge and King, I refuse to drift along each day until death takes me by
surprise. I want to follow Your standards as You speak to me today through Your Church.
Tell me how You want me to live and I hope to follow Your every wish. I need not fear the
judgment if only I will be loyal to You in my daily life. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 19
God's Standards
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, on the Day of judgment the rags of the poor will shine more brilliantly than the
fine clothes of those who loved this earthly life too much. The homes of the poor will be
honored more than the comfortable mansions of the rich. In that hour the patience of My
loyal followers will have greater merit than the human might of this world. Simple
obedience to My laws will be more highly praised than all earthly cleverness.

~ 21 ~
2. In the Day of Truth a pure and good conscience will bring more joy than mere learning.
The man who refused to sin for earthly gain, will be the envy of those who lived only for
this world. You will have more consolation for having prayed devoutly than for having
enjoyed earth's pleasures and comforts.

3. Then you will be glad of the prayerful silence you observed, rather than for having talked
a great deal. Good works will be of greater value than good words. Self-control and healthy
penance will be more pleasing to you than all the delights of earth.
THINK:
How different are God's standards from those of worldly men I Is it any wonder that those
who live God's way seem to live a foolish life? Yet the real fools are those who disagree
with God's standards. Christ is sure to triumph at the judgment, and those who follow His
standards are certain to triumph with Him.
PRAY:
My Jesus, can I be fool enough to live by any other standard than Yours? Let me embrace
Your standards in my daily life. Though I may find life harder, I will not complain as long
as I know that Your Will is guiding me. Through the Church and the Scriptures, You
promise to lead me to a happy judgment and a joyful eternity. I hope to be a loyal follower
of Yours each day of my earthly life. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 20
The Pains of Hell
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I have proved My goodness by My numberless gifts to men. They cannot
mention a single good thing in their daily life which does not belong to Me. My love for
them was proved by My earthly life of labor, work, suffering and prayer to obtain
forgiveness for their sins. Anyone who takes time to think of what I deserve, cannot deny
that he owes Me more than he can ever repay. Yet, in spite of My goodness and love, some
people choose to walk away from Me. They refuse to follow My directions. As a result they
fall into sin. Though I made them for Heaven, they shall never see it because they are
refusing to do what it takes to get there.
2. Hell was made for the devil and his rebel angels. Man was made for Heaven. In refusing
to live for Heaven, a man chooses to exist without Me. He shall have his wish-he shall join
the rebel angels in hell. In refusing to follow My law, a man actually turns his back on Me
as the fallen angels did. If he dies in this condition, he condemns himself to hell. The jury
which convicts him is his own sinful life. I merely pronounce sentence on what he himself
has chosen.
3. There is nothing on earth which can compare with hell. It is beyond all description. One
must see it to know it. Though I may try to give you some small idea of it in this chapter,
~ 22 ~
remember, this is a tiny and very imperfect idea of the real thing. Words fall far short of the
reality which is hell. I make no threats here. I simply want you to face this fact: Unless you
live for Heaven, you shall one day be in hell.
4. All the sufferings known to man are as nothing in comparison with the sufferings of hell.
The wise man would rather bear any trial on earth than place himself in danger of hell. One
single hour of hell will be harder than a hundred years of suffering on earth. In this earthly
life people have some rest from their labors and trials. They get some measure of
consolation from their friends. In hell, however, there is no rest, no consolation, and no
friends.
5. The fires of hell will never die. There will be no end to suffering. One will find no
comfort in knowing that he has been there a thousand years. He can never hope for an end to
his tortures. All the other sufferings would be bearable if only the damned could hope for
relief. Despair is hell's bitterest pain.
6. In hell a man will be punished through the same faults by which he sinned on earth. Each
sin will have its own particular torment. The lazy will be forced to work continuously. The
gluttonous will be tormented with extreme hunger and thirst. The proud will be filled with
confusion, and the greedy will feel the pinch of miserable want.
7. And yet, the worst pain of hell is none of these. The people in hell would gladly bear all
of this and much more if only they could hope for My friendship and love, no matter how
long it might take, be it even a billion years from now. Their keenest torment is that they
have forever lost Me, the Source of all true joy and perfect happiness. This suffering makes
hell the home of despair and undying hatred.
8. My child, follow My Will in your daily life, and you need never fear hell. In fact you
have every reason to be joyful and merry if you are following My commandments and using
My sacraments. Do not condemn yourself to hell by refusing to obey My directions. I love
you dearly. Do not prevent Me from taking you to Heaven.

THINK:

Hell is a fact. Christ, Our Lord, pointed this out time and again during His earthly life.
Whoever rejects this fact is simply denying the word of Christ. He is God. He proved His
divine power many times during and after His earthly life. His word is truth. He preached
the truth of hell and continues to preach it today through His Church and Holy Scripture.
PRAY:
My Jesus, many find too hard a command in the words: Deny yourself, take up your cross,
and follow Me. Yet a much harder command will be: Depart from Me, you cursed, into
everlasting fire. If I become so impatient with a little suffering now, how can I ever stand
hell? I cannot expect to have unrestricted enjoyment on earth and still rejoice with You in
Heaven. Therefore, dear Lord, that I may be safe from eternal punishment, let me do my
best in bearing the burdens of this earthly life. Let me prefer to suffer on earth or even die
now rather than commit a mortal sin. Amen.

~ 23 ~
CONVERSION
CHAPTER 21
Holy Fear of God
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, if you desire to make progress along the way to Heaven, keep in your heart a
holy fear of the Divine justice. It is only reasonable that you should be afraid to hurt
yourself. When you bring sin into your life, you are making yourself an object of My justice.
I, the Eternal Truth, cannot accept you as good if you have become bad by sin. Therefore,
keep your earthly desires under control and refuse to surrender yourself to unnecessary or
dangerous pleasures. This holy fear of My justice will help you to stay free of the slavery of
earthly attractions.
2. It is not very wise to think only of having a pleasant time and to forget your spiritual
needs. It is reasonable and good for you to be afraid of losing My graces. Without them you
can never reach the perfect life and happiness of Heaven.
3. If your love of Me is not yet strong enough to hold you back from doing wrong, then let
your fear of hell keep you from sinning. A man who lacks this wise and holy fear, will not
go on doing good for long. He will soon fall into Satan's snares, as he becomes more
careless in avoiding temptations. This fear is a holy thing because it is given by Me. It
makes a man strong in the daily battle against his unreasoning and selfish desires.
4. Even the saints, with all their confidence in Me, had this fear of Divine justice. They
knew the weakness and blindness of human nature. They were not less careful, nor less
humble, because of their great virtues and many graces.
THINK:
If my love of God ever fails to hold me back from sin, it will be because my self-love is
strong at the moment. Yet, even then I can make a last effort against this misguided love by
the thought of God's justice, which will deal with me as I deserve. It is a foolish man,
indeed, who will refuse to consider the harm that can overtake him if he follows a certain
path. This holy fear of God's justice is the beginning of wisdom because it guides men on
to a holier life.
PRAY:
My God, I do not want to presume so much on Your love as to forget Your justice. You will
some day deal with each man according to his works. I desire to make good use of all the
gifts which Your love daily sends me. May I never forget that I must one day account for
my misuse of these gifts. This thought will help me to fight sin and to please You more in
my daily life. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 22
~ 24 ~
Compunction of Heart
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, how can any man abandon himself to the pleasures of this earthly life? Such
people do not appreciate the miserable condition of their souls, nor the rapid passing away
of this brief experience. They do not stop to think and to look beneath the surface of their
daily activities. They laugh when they have many reasons to weep. Happy is he who can
overcome the distractions which hinder him from straight thinking.
2. As for you, strive to develop within yourself a genuine compunction of heart.
Compunction is a deep and lasting sorrow for your sins. It is not a gloomy nor depressing
sorrow, but an intelligent admission of your sins and a sincere determination to do
something about them. Since compunction comes from a realization of how you have failed
so good a God, it brings with it a readiness to accept anything from My Hand.
3. Compunction opens the way to many blessings and precious graces. When compunction
fills your soul, the world will lose its magic attraction and will become more distasteful to
you. Compunction will help you realize how quickly earthly joys pass away, while eternity
goes on forever. You will see clearly that your sins have off ended Me. One who has
genuine compunction, is honest enough to admit his sins, and is truly sorry for them. His
sorrow is proved by his sincere efforts to be rid of his faults.
THINK:
Compunction is a great grace by which God helps me to face the truth about my sins. It
also helps me to prove my sorrow for my faults. By compunction a man begins to attack his
faults and to practice the opposite virtues. I can be sure of my sincere sorrow only when I
have begun to do something about my faults. Compunction is a lasting sorrow because it is
not an emotion, but rather an intelligent admission of facts. It shows me my faults, God's
goodness, and my own need to change for the better. Then it helps me undertake the daily
task of abandoning my faults and acquiring the opposite virtues.
PRAY:
Lord, I want to live a cheerful life, but I do not want that kind of cheerfulness which refuses
to admit the truth. I can admit my sins and still be cheerful, as long as I am doing my best to
overcome and make up for these sins. I do not want any gift or talent which might make me
proud, or worse in any way. Not everything that is high is holy; nor is every pleasant thing
good. Good desires are not always unselfish. You, my Lord, are not always pleased with the
things that we prize. It is far better to have compunction than to be able to talk about it.
Grant me genuine compunction, so that I may hate my sins and daily fight against them.
Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 23

~ 25 ~
Striving for Compunction
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, unless a man tries hard to acquire a holy sorrow for his sins, he is not worthy
of My heavenly consolation. Are you doing your best to acquire this compunction?
2. This grace will reach you more easily if you will turn your back, for a while, on your
daily distractions. Come aside more often, to be alone with Me. Reflect on My gifts and
your misuse of them. Be honest and face the truth. Reading and reflecting will help you to
realize the wickedness of all sins, even smaller ones. Do not look for new theories and mere
curiosities, but stick to solid everyday truth, truth which will improve your daily life.
3. In solitude and quiet you will discover the hidden treasures of Holy Scripture. As you
become more intimate with Me, your Creator, you will make great progress. You will find
tears to wash and purify your soul. You will also have a deep interior joy as My holy angels
and I draw near to you. Learn to pray and labor unseen by the eyes of men.
4. Slowly, as the gift of compunction fills your soul, you will be filled with fresh vigor. As
you become more eager to make up for your sins, you will find hard things becoming easier.
THINK:
Jesus said that certain devils are driven out only by prayer and fasting. This shows that some
of God's gifts are given only if we do our part to prepare ourselves for them. Compunction
will be lasting and fruitful only if I make a sincere personal effort to receive it worthily and
apply it wisely. Through solitude, prayer, reading, and meditation, I will understand how I
can best receive and use compunction in my daily life.
PRAY:
O holy and merciful Father, fill my soul with true compunction. Make me honest in
admitting my sins, and determined in overcoming them each day. I need Your assistance, so
that I may not be a coward, but may make a sincere daily effort to please You more in all my
activities. Help me to abandon anything in life which is opposed to Your holy gift of
compunction. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 24
Purgatory Here or Hereafter
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not expect to find peace until you have overcome a variety of troubles and
opposition. If you say that you cannot bear much suffering now, how will you be able to
endure the purifying pains of Purgatory hereafter?
2. The patient man finds a cleansing purgatory in this earthly life. When others wrong him,
he is more sorry that evil is done than that he has been wronged. He forgives the evil-doer

~ 26 ~
from the bottom of his heart. He is not slow to ask pardon when he himself has hurt others.
He is more easily moved to pity than to anger. He frequently disregards his feelings and tries
to live above them, according to his intelligence and My grace.
THINK:
Either here on earth or hereafter in Purgatory I must make up for each fault I commit.
Nothing tainted will be allowed to enter Heaven. I can purify my soul now by following the
example and words of Christ, my Redeemer. He gained for me the grace to conquer sin and
error. Now I must do my part by living a holy life. If I refuse, and die in venial sin, I'll have
to make it up in Purgatory. If I die in mortal sin, I shall condemn myself to hell forever.
PRAY:
My Jesus, you fulfilled Your Father's Will largely by Your patience during Your earthly life.
Therefore, it is only right that I, a miserable sinner, should be patient in my own daily life.
Even though this present life may feel like a burden, still, by the help of Your grace, it is a
great opportunity to earn heavenly merit. Your holy example and the lives of Your saints,
make this life lighter and more bearable for those who take time out each day so as to see
more clearly Your way to Heaven. Amen.

CONVERSION
CHAPTER 25
Man's Greatest Treasure
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, only in Me will you find what is best and most precious for you. God is far
greater and better than all things created. I am the Most High. No one else is all-powerful.
God alone is perfectly charming and full of consolation. In Me you will find perfect beauty
and all-satisfying love. Most noble and most glorious above all things is the Maker of all.
2. Beg often for the grace to find your joy in Me above all things created; above health or
beauty; above glory and honor; above power and dignity; above all knowledge and
cleverness; above all praise and admiration; above all arts and enjoyments; above all
material comforts and wealth; above all hopes and promises; above all human consolation
and appreciation. Treasure Me more than the gifts and rewards which I bestow on men. In
Me you will find more than in everything else.
3. Whatever I give, whatever is not God, is too little and insufficient for you. I made you for
Myself, the Perfect Good. Your heart will not find true rest until it rests in Me, the Perfect
Giver and the Perfect Gift.

THINK:
No matter what I like or love, unless it is God Himself, it can never give me the perfect
happiness which my soul desires. So many who reached earthly success, finally took their
own life. Why? Because they came to realize that nothing on earth could give them the
~ 27 ~
happiness which they wanted. They should have turned at last to God, but they had forgotten
Him in their foolish quest for earthly joy.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, I cannot live for a joy that is doomed to fade away. Though I hope for a
reasonable joy on earth, I shall never turn my back on You by sin. Earth's good things only
reflect Your beauty, Your goodness and Your power. I will never abandon the Glorious
Reality for the sake of Its reflection. When I am tempted to sin for some earthly attractions,
give me the grace to remember Your goodness, greatness and love. Amen.

~ 28 ~
 The Way of Purification
PART TWO: AFTER CONVERSION
YOU MUST BE deeply impressed by the fact of your great weakness, your complete
dependence on God, your blind selfishness, your need of frequently renewing your good
resolutions and of daily expressing sorrow for your sins. Do not be afraid to face the truth:
you must die and must receive a just sentence to either Heaven or hell. Far from being
depressed, you should be determined to cooperate with the all-loving God, Who desires to
show you the way to a holy life on earth, and a perfect, all-satisfying life in Heaven.
Having seen your complete need of God, and of His loving attention and generosity, try to
realize that He deserves the best love and loyalty which you can offer Him. How can you
please Him more in your daily life? Part of this question is answered in this section.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 26
Beginning a New Life
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not lose the hope of making spiritual progress. You still have time. Your
chance is not over yet. Why put off your good intentions until tomorrow? Now is the time
for action I Begin this very moment! Here is your opportunity to make a new start. Begin
your new life with the help of My grace.

2. Always keep a steady hope of achieving success. Do not let your failures discourage you.
Beware also of over-confidence, so that you may not become a victim of pride or laziness.

3. Whenever you have to omit your prayers or some daily spiritual exercise, because of
some urgent duty or for the sake of your neighbor, try to make up later what was omitted.
Do not be too ready to omit spiritual exercises because of weariness. This can easily become
a habit which will hurt you.
THINK:
It is easy enough to start again. All I have to do is: (1) to examine my life, (2) face what
needs to be done, (3) pray for strength, and (4) start doing it. I may fail on this occasion or
that, but the main thing is that I have begun and am determined to go on trying in spite of
any failures which may occur.
PRAY:
Lord, now I begin I Help me to live as You desire. If it is your will, I can do it. If You want
this of me, I ought to do it. Let me not be a coward and run away from Your Will. You
know what is right and best. I must begin now. Lord, help me. I do not expect to become a
different person overnight. just as my faults developed slowly over a period, so too will the
~ 29 ~
opposite virtues grow within me. I will not be discouraged when my old faults catch me by
surprise. My love for You will be proved by action, that is, by a steady, patient effort to get
rid of my faults and to practice the opposite virtue. Now I begin I Amen

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 27
Holiness in Everyday Life
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, at times you hear people say that they are too busy to bother with religion.
People who say such things do not understand Me, nor themselves, nor their daily life. They
do not realize that religion is as necessary an activity as eating, sleeping and working.
2. I am far more than the air you breathe, the food you eat, and the rest which brings you
renewed strength. All of these things, and everything else, come to you- from My hand.
Without My loving support each moment, these things would fail you, and you yourself
would vanish from the face of the earth.
3. I am the center of your existence. You depend on Me more than you dream. just as you
give due attention to the people who come into your daily life, so too is it normal for you to
give due attention to Me. To speak to Me, to try to please Me, to ask for My help, to express
sorrow for your offenses, and to love Me for My goodness-these are normal acts for any
intelligent human being. The more I show Myself to him, the more should he strive to please
Me in his everyday life.
4. Religion is the bond which unites you to Me. To neglect it is as foolish as refusing to
breathe, or eat, or rest. In fact, it is worse. These other things keep your body alive, but
religion is necessary for the eternal life of your soul.

5. The man who neglects this part of his life is abnormal, that is, he is not what he ought to
be. He is neglecting something which is natural and normal for him, something which
perfects him more than he realizes.
6. There is no real opposition between laboring for your earthly needs, and laboring for
Heaven. You have to work each day, but this work can be a glorious prayer. You must eat,
work, sleep, and have recreation, but all of these can become holy actions, actions done for
eternal life.
7. Whatever you do, do it as I want it done, and you will be doing it as perfectly as possible.
Be reasonable in whatever you do, or say, or think. Refuse to violate My commandments,
regardless of any earthly advantage or disadvantage. I made the things of this life for you, so
that you may perfect yourself by using them intelligently. Let My words and example guide
you in whatever you do. In doubt consult My Church. Do this and you will be working for
success on earth and an all-satisfying glory in Heaven.

~ 30 ~
THINK:
Once I get a full view of this earthly life, I will see how all-important a part God plays in it.
Instead of living for the moment or for the next few years, I'll live for my highest and most
important goal. I will see the unending importance of what I am doing today, I will
understand how each act of this day helps me become a little more perfect, a little more
ready for Heaven. Only sin is foolish. Only sin is bad. All else is good and pleasing to God,
because it helps me in one way or another.
PRAY:
My Father in Heaven, I desire to make the best use of this earthly life of mine. I want to live
as full a life as possible. Therefore, in everything I think, do, or say, I want You to be my
Partner. Since You support me in all my thinking, speaking and acting, I want to please You
in them. By living this way, I will be following Your wisdom and my own highest good. I
now join this daily life of mine to the earthly life of Jesus, Your divine Son. With His
example and with the strength of His holy sacraments, I hope to please You every moment.
Thus, my daily life will be my best preparation for eternal life. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 28
Closer Friendship with God
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I have said that the Kingdom of God is within you. Turn to Me with your
whole heart. Do not think too much of this world, and your soul will find rest in Me. Do not
let this earthly life take all of your attention. Think often of Me and of My Will in your life.
Then you will become more conscious of My presence within your soul. I bring you the
gifts of peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. These gifts are not given to those who pay too
much attention to this earthly life.

2. One who loves Me and lives My truth, is a supernatural person. By My grace he becomes
free from sinful and dangerous desires. He can freely turn to Me. He is able to rise above the
visible world around him and enjoy My friendship.
3. As iron, cast into the fire, loses its rust and becomes bright with the flame, so too a man
who turns his whole heart to Me, is purified of all sluggishness and changed into a new man.
THINK:
If I take this step and concentrate more on God's place in my daily life, I shall find the peace
of Christ. Earthly worries and distractions become small in the presence of God. The more I
am impressed by Him, the less shall I be impressed by everything else.
PRAY:
My God, I want to be deeply impressed by You and Your holy Will in my daily life. Teach

~ 31 ~
me to live this life of mine in Your presence, sharing with You my thoughts, desires, and
every activity throughout the day. Let me recognize and follow Your Will as it comes to me
through people and events in my daily life. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 29
Man's Interior Conflict
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when I created the first man and woman, I gave them many gifts to make their
earthly life as easy and peaceful as possible. They were free from pain, labor, sickness, and
death. They immediately knew the answers to whatever problems came along. They had
complete command over the appetites and desires of body and soul. Over and above these
gifts, they were given grace to live a supernatural life. Dwelling within their souls, I gave
more than natural light to their minds, and more than natural strength to their wills.
2. None of these gifts really belonged to human beings. I added them over and above the gift
of human life along with the natural human powers of body and soul. At any time I could
take away these extra gifts, and man would still have all that naturally belonged to him. I left
it up to Adam to decide whether he and his children were to keep these extra gifts forever.
As the representative of the human race, Adam was to make one intelligent and free act, an
act of obedience to My Will. By this act he would be acknowledging the supreme truth of
his existence-that he is a creature completely dependent on Me, his Creator.
3. In disobeying My command in the Garden of Eden, Adam refused to acknowledge the
supreme truth. The external act of eating the fruit was a small act, but the interior rebellion
against My Will was a serious matter. Adam wanted to be equal to Me, as the rebel angels
did in Paradise. As a result of Adam's disobedience, I took away My extra gifts. Man was
left without the aid of My extra gifts, except that he might still obtain grace to earn Heaven.
4. Man now has to bear an inner conflict, a conflict quite natural to him. His animal
appetites now go after their wants without regard for his better judgment and free will. Even
when man wishes to follow his intelligence and strive after better things, he has to fight for
control of his unreasoning appetites and blind desires. He no longer has infused knowledge,
but must learn the answers to his daily problems by labor and experience.
5. So often this interior conflict brings confusion to the mind and indecision to the will. Yet
man's natural reason is still able to judge good and evil, still able to distinguish truth from
falsehood. To save you from all serious doubts, I have given you My Church to guide your
mind and strengthen your will.
6. As long as you have a human body on earth, you cannot be entirely free from venial sins,
nor can you live without some sorrow and weariness. Yet you must do your best with
patience and determination, regardless of failures. All too soon this present state of disorder
will pass away. Then will your earthly life melt away into the perfect life which I have
promised to those who keep My commandments. Adam passed on to his descendants the
human nature which he himself possessed-a nature that was weakened by his disobedience.
~ 32 ~
A large part of man's weakness ties in this, that after the Fall, man's animal nature retained
its normal strength and appetites, but was no longer under the perfect control of man's higher
power of reason and freewill. God, however, made up for this weakness by giving
us His grace. By the use of God's grace, man can avoid fully deliberate sins, and thus
become once more the master of his life.
PRAY:
My God, I am glad to have Your law guide me through life. With Your help, I want to
correct the evil in my life and avoid, as far as possible, those temptations which will face me
in the future. True, I often follow the law of sin, obeying my feelings instead of my reason. I
-ant what is good, but I do not always know how to achieve it. Time and again, I make good
resolution, but in my weakness I quickly fall back and give up after a feeble resistance. At
times, I know what I should be doing, but I simply fail to rise up and do it. With Your help I
shall begin to act I want to do all I can to live a life of loyalty to Your holy Will. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 30
Man's Lower Nature
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, unless You learn to control your feelings, You will always find it hard to obey
those who have authority over you. Your feelings do not reason. They simply turn away
from what is unpleasant, be it right or wrong. Feelings can be calmed in some degree by an
intelligent outlook. Still, you will never have a more troublesome and dangerous enemy than
your own unreasoning feelings and blind desires.

2. By Prayer and meditation you will acquire a grander outlook on life. You will see the
unreasonableness and mean selfishness of your feelings and moods. I will show you the
glorious goal which I have set for you. When you have grasped the higher purpose of your
earthly life, you will acquire a holy contempt for whatever opposes that purpose. This
heavenly knowledge and eternal goal will bring unity and order into your life. You will then
find it easier to guide your lower nature according to My Will.
3. At times you will have to use stubborn resistance and even violence against the
unreasoning tendencies within you. Sometimes you need to disregard your likes and
dislikes, and follow your better judgment. With My truth to guide you and My sacraments to
strengthen you, you cannot fail in this daily combat for Heaven.
THINK:
An obedient horse can help man in his daily tasks, but a stubborn mule can do more harm
than good. So is it with man's own nature. His reason and will, strengthened by grace, must
guide his unreasoning appetites and desires to right action. A good life is one which follows
God's law. Only God's Will can lead me to Heaven.

PRAY:
~ 33 ~
Lord Jesus, I hope to follow You each day of my life. With Your help, I hope to have
strength to be firm against my blind tendencies and desires. You are my King and Leader.
Make me a loyal follower. I desire and hope to live the kind of life which You desire of me.
Grant me Your grace. You have shown me how great it is and how necessary for salvation.
Grant it to me so that I may overcome this weak nature of mine, which draws me on toward
sin and eternal death. In my flesh, I feel the law of sin contradicting the law of my mind, and
in many things making me a slave of my feelings. I cannot resist these feelings unless You
help me, by pouring into my heart the grace of ardent loyalty to You. I am in continual need
of grace to overcome this nature which, from its youth, always tends to evil. I hope in Your
help. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 31
The Honest Admissions of One's Defects
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, let my infinite wisdom teach you what is best for you in your daily conduct on
earth. Think of your sins with great displeasure and sorrow. Never consider yourself big
because of your good works. The simple truth is that you are a sinner. Too often your
actions are controlled by emotions or feelings rather than intelligence and grace.
2. If I leave you to yourself, you tend to what is wrong and fall into sin. You are easily
overcome by selfishness. Your self-control falls apart in a short time. You are much weaker
than you think. You have little reason to take pride in yourself and many reasons for
humbling yourself.

3. Fear nothing so much as your disorderly tendencies and your sins. Run from them more
than from anything else. They should displease you more than any other trouble. Be afraid
of My judgment and fear the anger of the Almighty. Do not presume to criticize the works
of the Most High. Look to your faults. Consider the wrong you have done and the good you
have neglected.
4. Be angry with yourself, and do not let pride control you in anything. Foolish heart, what
have you to complain about? Can you not accept the trials which come to you, when you
have so often offended Me and deserved hell? My love has spared you. Still, you must be
honest with yourself. Face the truth about yourself and be patient with your defects and
limitations.
THINK:
God loves an honest man. Why should it be so hard to admit what I am? If I hide the truth
from myself, how can I ever become pleasing to God? I need not become depressed and
discouraged as I look at my many faults. All that God expects of me is that I begin today to
fight against them. Being a sinner is not the worst thing. The worst thing is to remain a
sinner. God loves the repentant sinner, that is, one who detests his sins and makes an
honest effort to be rid of his faults.
~ 34 ~
PRAY:

Dear merciful God, at last I understand. I will no longer become paralyzed with sadness or
discouragement, over my faults. I shall do what You desire of me. I will prove my genuine
sorrow for my sins by fighting against them in my daily life. Show me which fault
displeases You most, and I will at once begin a campaign against it. I may never get rid of it,
Lord, but at least I can keep on trying each day. I cannot offer You much in my life, but this
honest daily effort against my main faults I can offer as a proof that I am truly sorry for
offending You. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 32
The Predominant Fault
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I give strength to those who make an honest effort in fighting against their
faults. The harder they try, the more will they advance in virtue. The self-control which I
give is a man's greatest glory because he approaches closer to My perfection.
2. No two men have the same combination of faults, nor have they the same amount of
grace. I give more grace to those who make good use of what they have already received.
3. As you make progress against your main fault, you will find your other faults easier to
control. Once you are the master of your heart, you will be the master of your life. Your
intelligence will be guided by My grace and your will, will follow My wise and holy law.

4. Begin at last! Attack first your most frequent fault. When you fall back into that fault,
instead of becoming sad and discouraged, prove your sorrow by beginning again. You will
find selfishness at the bottom of every fault. Your feelings will rebel, but you must fix your
eyes on Me, and let your will stand firm on My law.
5. Prayer, penance, and My sacraments will help you to see Me near, and will give you the
strength to follow My Will.
THINK:
Every man has a predominant fault, that is, an outstanding one, because of which he
commits most of the sins in his daily life. Conquering that fault means overcoming many
different sins. This fault will not die easily, but a sincere and continued effort will weaken it
more and more. Our Lord will not let me fight in vain. He will give me strength to make true
progress against this fault. I need only to continue trying, doing whatever is necessary to
overcome this fault.
PRAY:
Lord, make me wise in using the means which You have provided for my spiritual victory.
~ 35 ~
Let me never become careless or lazy in following the guidance of Your Church, nor in
frequently using Your sacraments. The victory of this daily battle will bring me eternal glory
in the wonderful life of Heaven. The reward which You have prepared is far greater than my
effort can ever deserve of itself. Let me never become tired of fighting for Heaven. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 33
Necessary Care of Oneself
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, everyone must take a reasonable care of himself. In time of temptation arouse
yourself, warn yourself, guard yourself and avoid idleness. No matter how much you do for
others, do not neglect yourself altogether. Beware of too much talking. Whenever possible,
try to be alone with Me. Take advantage of My presence. Every moment of your life is lived
in My presence. You possess Him Whom the whole world cannot take from you. I am worth
more than everything else put together.
2. If you neglect yourself, you can lose in a short time the spiritual strength which was
acquired slowly and with great effort over a long period. Reflect often on the eternal purpose
of your earthly life. You have to be a spiritual an to reach this goal. I tell you through My
Church how to live this earthly life. There is no other way. Examine your progress each day.
In a short time your present life will be over. If you have been faithful, you will never again
know fear nor sorrow. For the little labor which you do on earth, you will gain a glorious
reward and unending joy. I shall not fail those who have been faithful to My Will.

3. The man who has learned to pray and reflect, looks on self-perfection as his first and
highest business. One who studies himself honestly, finds it easy to be silent about others.
Learn to hold your tongue about the affairs of others unless your duty obliges you to speak.
Fix your attention on your own faults and do something about them. If you are a true man of
God, the doings of others will not make you worse than you are. If you can remedy a bad
situation, do so. Many times, however, you can do nothing but pray over the misdeeds of
others. Do this as one sinner praying for another, not as a superior being, praying for
inferiors. When you have learned to fix your attention on your own affairs, you will find
great peace of soul.
THINK:
As far as I can, I should strive to help others. In many things however, I can help only by
prayer, good example, and silence. Prayer gives grace to me and others. Good example
reminds others of what they should be doing. Silence prevents the spreading of scandal and
the flaring of tempers. Minding one's own business is a great virtue. My first task is to save
my soul. As far as I can, I must also try to help others live a holier and happier life. Many
things, however, are not in my power. After I have done what I can to help matters, I
should leave them in God's hands.
PRAY:
~ 36 ~
Lord, give me the courage to look at myself, the honesty to admit my faults and limitations,
the sincerity to try self-improvement, and the love for You that will keep me at it for the rest
of my life. Let me not be concerned about matters that are beyond my control, except to
petition Your help. For the rest, let me really live the words: Thy will be done. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 34
Helps and Hindrance to Holiness
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, there is one thing that stops many from making spiritual progress and keeps
them from improving themselves. It is a fear of the difficulties or of the work required by
their effort. The people who rise highest in holiness are those who are brave enough to fight
against whatever holds them back from Me, no matter how hard or disagreeable the effort
may be. The more you try to master your feelings and blind desires, the greater are the
graces which I offer to you. If you keep on trying, you will gain as much success as I desire
of you.
2. Different men have to face different obstacles. Yet, a diligent and zealous person will
make greater progress in virtue, even though he may have to fight more defects than others.
Some people have fewer defects to overcome, and still they do not advance in holiness
because they are less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.
THINK:

Many are frightened by the thought of changing their ways in daily life. Yet the way can be
quite simplified if only they will make the effort. First, they need a spiritual director to guide
them along and to help them see themselves without prejudice or fear. Second, they must be
honest in striving for the virtues opposed to their main faults. Third, they must realize that
their feelings and blind desires will go on rebelling and making their daily efforts more
difficult. Lastly, they must learn to gain spiritual profit from all occasions, imitating the
virtues which they see in others and avoiding the defects of their neighbors.
PRAY:
O Holy Spirit, my God and Sanctifier, grant me the light to see what a glorious opportunity I
now have of beginning a better fife. Help me to take whatever steps are necessary to purify
my soul by a sincere daily effort. You will not deny me the strength which I need, if only I
will try to develop the virtues which I need most, in my daily life. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 35
Variety In the Spiritual Life
CHRIST:
~ 37 ~
MY CHILD, not everyone can make use of the same spiritual exercises. One devotion suits
this person, while another suits that person. At times a change of spiritual exercises will do
you good. Some devotions will help on ordinary days, and others will be more helpful on
holy days. You may need one type of spiritual activity in time of temptation and another in
time of peace. A man likes certain thoughts when he is sad, but in time of spiritual joy, he
prefers other thoughts.
2. Variety in your spiritual life will help you live a richer life and a holier one. Make your
spiritual goals and your resolutions according to the spirit of the different seasons of the
church calendar. Plan your interior life as one who is eager to give Me better service. Live as
one who looks forward to Heaven.
3. Think of death as the gateway to Heaven. Learn to look upon your earthly life as a great
opportunity to make a worthy preparation for Heaven. If I have not called you yet, consider
that it is because you are not yet well enough prepared to receive the heavenly glory which
is being reserved for you. Then plan how to prepare yourself for that heavenly reward.
Never forget the words: Blessed is that servant whom the Lord shall find watching when
He comes. Indeed, I tell you, He will place him over all His possessions!
THINK:
It is so easy to fall into a routine and stick to it. Many go on day after day, doing the same
old things in the same old way. Variety makes life interesting, yet too few have the ambition
and energy to put variety into their daily lives. In prayer, I shall try to learn various methods
in case I should need them to avoid the dullness of routine. I can read the lives of the saints
and see where I may make a few changes in my own spiritual life. My spiritual director can
give me ideas on how to freshen my zeal for God's glory and for the help of my neighbor.
PRAY:
O Holy Ghost, my God and Sanctifier, grant me light to see how I can make my daily life
more fruitful in doing good. Let me not fall into a rut and stay there. Life is a glorious
opportunity to do great things-to become more like You, my God, by the good and love
which I can give to others. Help me to see more ways of increasing the good in my daily
life. Give me the unselfishness and strength to do good for Your sake. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 36
Frequent Communion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, you should come often to Me, the Giver of grace and divine mercy, the
Fountain of all goodness and holiness. In this way you will gain greater control over your
passions, faults, and defects. In Holy Communion I will make you wiser and stronger
against the temptations and deceits of the devil.
2. When I come to You in this Holy Sacrament, I offer you interior fight and strength. These
~ 38 ~
gifts are known only to my faithful ones. They are not enjoyed by unbelievers, nor by those
who love sin. In this Sacrament, the soul receives the grace to regain lost virtues and the
beauty which was lost by sin.
3. The blind desires of man tend to evil from his youth. Unless this divine Medicine assists
him, he will quickly slip from bad to worse. Holy Communion withdraws you from what is
evil and strengthens you in what is good. You need Me. Make full use of the wisdom and
strength which I offer you in Holy Communion.
THINK:
To fight sin, I need a strength greater than my own. Jesus promises to give it to me in Holy
Communion. I must not pass up this marvelous invitation. As often as possible I will go to
receive Him. I will lay before Him my hopes, plans, and ambitions. He will give me the
strength to do what is best for me.
PRAY:
Lord, this heavenly gift is certainly necessary for me. I become sluggish so easily, and I fall
into sin so quickly. I need to be spiritually refreshed, cleansed, and inflamed once more by
frequent prayers, confession, and a loving reception of Your Sacred Body and Blood. By
staying away too long, I may fall away from my good intentions. Make me wise enough to
come to You as often as possible, so that I may have Your grace to work for eternal life.
Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 37
Invitation to Holy Communion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, often ponder My words Come, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will
refresh you. These are My words, and you ought to receive them gratefully and faithfully.
They are Mine because I spoke them; but they are also yours, because they were spoken for
your salvation. Receive them joyfully from My lips. Let them be deeply carved upon your
heart. In these holy words, you see My loyal and tender consideration for you. Do not let
your conscience stop you from rushing into My arms. I know how unworthy you are of My
friendship, but I love you in spite of that.
2. In spite of your nothingness and your sins, I command you to approach Me with
confidence. It is actually My Will that you should receive Me, the Food of Immortality.
Through this heavenly Food, which is truly My own Body and Blood, you shall gain
unending life and eternal glory. I say, Come, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will
refresh you! These are consoling words in the ear of a sinner. I, your Lord and God, invite
poor and needy you to receive My holy Body. Do not say, Who am I, that I should presume
to approach You? I command you to come and receive Me, for without Me you are lost.

~ 39 ~
3. Prepare your soul with confession, if necessary, and with prayers. Then approach My altar
with confidence and with a burning desire to please Me in your daily life.
THINK:
God is so powerful, so great, so perfect, that we are as nothing compared to Him. The angels
and saints in Heaven see God face to face and realize how very, very small they are in His
presence. As a result they feel a deep indescribable respect for Him. Yet God, in His
goodness, loves His creatures beyond all telling. He did many things to convince us of His
love. He even sent His beloved Son to show His love in a human way. After living and
dying for love of us, Jesus invented a way to remain with us in the Holy Eucharist. In this
wonderful Sacrament He makes Himself the Food of our souls. Lest anyone refuse to
receive Him in Holy Communion, He commanded that we should do so. It is His express
wish that I receive Him in Holy Communion.
PRAY:
Lord, why are You so gracious to me and so concerned about me? You know how full of
defects I am. I offend You so often by my faults and my negligence. How dare I welcome
You into my heart? I have often been selfish with You in spite of all Your generosity to Me.
The angels and archangels stand in deep respect before You. The Saints and the just have a
holy fear of You. Yet, You say, Come to Me. Were it not You that say this, Lord, who
could believe it, and who would dare approach this holy table? At Your loving command I
will come. I will think of Your Will and forget my unworthiness, and I shall eat the Bread of
Angels. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION

CHAPTER 38

The Man of Faith

CHRIST:
MY CHILD, My loyal follower is not rebellious at the unpleasant things which I permit in
his daily life. He is a man of faith, that is, he believes My words and follows My teachings
in his daily life. He sees My wisdom guiding his life at all times.
2. This supernatural faith helps him keep his peace of soul, even when humans seem to
complicate his life by their meddling and interference.
3. What I send is not always easy to understand. It may even seem unjust or foolish to those
who are living only for this world. The man of faith takes all from My Hands, knowing that
I plan all things for the best.
4. Do not depend on your natural judgment alone, but learn to consult Me and My Church in
all matters of importance.

~ 40 ~
THINK:
I must be a man of faith, with a bright vision of God in my daily life. He is ever near, ever
interested, ever helping me. With such an interior vision I will not be disturbed by the
sayings and doings of those around me. The supernatural man is not fooled by external
appearances. He knows only too well that what looks good may sometimes be wrong, and
what seems undesirable is sometimes the only thing to do. He sees clearly that God
sometimes chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise.
PRAY:
Father of wisdom and goodness, my God, when will I see things with Your glorious, eternal
outlook? Let me not be influenced by the wrong standards of worldly people. I will dare to
be different when the humans around me disagree with You. Though they may mock and
criticize what You have commanded, give me courage and strength to follow what You
want of me. Your wisdom will conquer the foolish wisdom of this world. The folly of sin
will one day be condemned and put to shame. Let me hate what is wrong and fear all sin in
my daily life. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 39
Man's True God
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, often it is safer for a man not to have many consolations and pleasures in his
earthly life. Try to grasp this truth, so that you may not become sad and depressed when you
cannot have what you desire.
2. If you had all the satisfactions and enjoyments which this world can offer, how long
would they last? The knowledge that they must certainly end, would only make death more
bitter and disagreeable to you.
3. The fact is that your soul can find full and lasting joy only in My friendship and love.
True happiness and lasting peace come from Me alone. Foolish lovers of this world think
that they know the meaning of peace and happiness, but what they enjoy is imperfect and
short-lived. Genuine peace and happiness is given only to My loyal followers, those who are
unselfish in doing My Will and generous in imitating My example.
THINK:
God desires that I should labor for my daily bread and enjoy the rightful pleasures of daily
life. I must not, however, become so entangled in these things that I would sin for them.
Each day is a step toward the true and perfect life of Heaven. I need to put complete trust
and confidence in God's wisdom and love for me. This virtue will give me the freedom of
true charity. I will come to see more clearly each day how to please God more in everything
I do.

~ 41 ~
PRAY:
My Jesus, please do not let me think too much of my earthly needs. They can crowd my
mind and make me too busy to think of You and Your holy words. Save me from the blind
love of pleasure and from the enslaving worry about earthly security. Grant me the freedom
of those who live for Heaven. Nothing on earth must hold me back from doing Your Will.
Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 40
Heavenly Desires
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, be not too impressed by appearances. Foolish people think that a man cannot
help being happy if he is rich, or powerful, or if he has fame and influence. Be wise with My
wisdom. Fix your heart on heavenly riches. Then you will see that passing glories and
unsteady contentment are not as desirable as they seem. In fact, they are often a burden of
work, worry and fear.
2. Man's happiness does not consist in having a great deal. A moderate amount of this
world's good things is enough for you if you are daily working for Heaven. The more you
see life from My viewpoint, the more you will realize that this earthly life is a cross. It has
its trials, burdens, disappointments, and sorrows, all of which must be borne patiently. It is
not easy to be a spiritual man, because the good things of this world continually appeal to
your feelings. Learn to govern your feelings with the reins of reason and grace. Control
them with your intelligence and My commandments.
3. As your desire for spiritual perfection grows, you will find yourself thinking more
definitely of Heaven. Your desire for Heaven will become stronger and stronger. You may
even have to control a dislike for the needs and obligations of daily life.
THINK:
The more one thinks of his eternal destiny, the more he will realize that his earthly life is a
journey toward something far grander than this world. He sees each day as a step toward
Heaven, and he looks at himself to see whether he is on the right path. Slowly he comes to
value the events of his daily life according to God's Will and Heaven's eternal happiness.
PRAY:
Lord, nothing on earth can give me the joy and happiness of Heaven. In fact, there is no
lasting joy apart from You. May I never be without Your holy grace. I desire to see the real
value of the earthly things which I love. May I never love any person or thing more than
You, that is, may I never sin because of them. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 41
~ 42 ~
Earning the Reward
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, for reasons which you cannot fully appreciate at present, I made your earthly
life a time of labor and trial. Each and every time that I permit you to suffer pain, grief or
disappointment I do it for your own good. These trials help you to come closer to Me in one
way or another. I made your earthly life a time of labor and trial. Do not think too much
about pleasure and rest in this life. Be prepared to exercise patience rather than enjoy
comfort or consolation. Think more of carrying the cross of daily life rather than of avoiding
everything unpleasant.
2. Do you expect to enjoy interior consolation whenever you wish? Not even My saints
could do that during their earthly life. They had to face many troubles, temptations, interior
misery and desolation. They went on, however, in spite of all these obstacles, trusting in Me
more than in themselves. They were fully aware that the sufferings of this life are not
worthy to be compared with the glory that is to come.
3. Do you not see how selfish your desires are? You want to obtain quickly the peace and
holiness which others achieved only after many trials and labors. You are more interested in
enjoying My gifts than in earning them. No, you must do things My way if you want to live
the best way.
4. Wait for the light and strength which I will send in due time. In the meantime have
courage and be patient. Do not give up the fight against your faults and defects. Do your
best to become the kind of person I want you to be. Leave the results to Me. I am near you at
every moment. Be unselfish enough to go on trying for My sake. I will someday reward you
far beyond anything you can imagine.
THINK:
Heaven is a reward-a thing to be earned. Though I can never really deserve it by my poor
human efforts alone, Jesus has made it possible for me to work for it with His help.
Strengthened by His grace, I can strive for Heaven. An honest daily effort against my faults
and a faithful attempt to do God's Will in all things, will bring me the glorious reward of
Heaven. Earthly life has its labors, trials, and difficulties. Each day I show by my actions,
words, thoughts, and desires, how sincerely I am working for Heaven.
PRAY:
Holy Spirit, my God, help me to see Your guiding hand in time of trial, and let me follow
humbly and loyally whatever You desire of me. I want to do the best that is in me, be it ever
so little. Heaven is more than I will ever deserve, but at least I can do my best to make
myself a little less unworthy of it. My God, I hope in You, for the grace to go on trying each
hour of the day. Amen.

AFTER CONVERSION
CHAPTER 42

~ 43 ~
Unselfish with God
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not look for spiritual consolation or interior good feelings in your prayers
and good works. Serve Me for My sake, as I deserve. Let your service depend on My word,
and not on any pleasant feelings which I may send you. If I gave interior consolation and joy
for every good work, many a worldly man would follow My commandments for the sake of
these gifts.
2. As long as you are in this life, you will be tempted by the blind selfishness of fallen
human nature. Turn frequently to Me and let Me guide your self-interest. I desire your self-
interest to be intelligent and well-ordered. Place Me above all persons and things created.
3. I am far greater than all My works. I am your greatest Treasure! Seek Me above all else.
Consider what I mean in your life. What do I deserve of you? What have I a right to expect
of you? Can you draw your next breath or take your next step without My consent and
assistance? Could you exist another instant if I withdrew My support? Only by facing these
facts, and living on them each hour of the day, can you give Me the intelligent service which
you owe Me.
4. Spiritual consolation is only a temporary gift to encourage one who is earnestly trying to
serve Me. This gift is not at the command of any man, and it will not be given to anyone
who seeks it for itself. Such a person is too much like the man who seeks his entire
happiness in the pleasures, satisfactions, and honors of this world. A frank and intelligent
remembrance of your unworthiness, will help you perform your prayers and good works
without expecting spiritual consolations in return.
THINK:
Jesus is right. I do not deserve the least of His gifts. I already owe Him so much that I
should be glad to do His Will, without looking for further gifts. He owes me nothing, and I
owe Him everything. If He chose to leave me in misery and sorrow, He would be doing me
no injustice, since all that I am and have belong to Him.
PRAY:
Lord, I know that You will never treat me as poorly as I deserve, as long as I am truly trying
to improve my daily life. You will never be outdone in generosity. Each holy desire and
every good deed of mine will be rewarded a hundredfold. You will not leave me in my
misery and troubles any longer than is necessary for my real good. I have deserved little, but
I need You and hope in Your help. Let me follow Your wise and holy Will by seeking You
first, and Your gifts only as far as You want me to have them. Amen.

PART THREE: TEMPTATION

GOD tells us that man is born imperfect and that he must use the opportunities and events in
his earthly life to perfect himself as far as possible. He must use them according to the
directions of his intelligence and according to the wisdom of God's law.

~ 44 ~
It is not, however, easy to act always with this holy moderation. Man's feelings, moods,
sentiments, appetites, and desires are not always willing to obey his intelligence. He
sometimes feels too strong a love for some things and too weak a love for other things. This
continual tendency to go to extremes is called temptation. Temptation is not sin. It tends to
draw a man to do what he knows is wrong, or seeks to hold him back from what he knows is
right.
Temptation simply brings out what is in a man. One knows himself better when he has dealt
with temptation. It proves his faults and tests his virtues. just how much he really desires to
earn Heaven, is seen by what he does to reach it. How much he really loves God, is seen by
how much he is willing to do for God. The first safeguard against temptation is to recognize
it, to see it as it really is without its attractive camouflage.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 43
Man's Daily Trials
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, one who does not know My plan might easily be discouraged by the trials of
this earthly life. Life on earth is so short. Hardly ever is it free from grief and troubles. Men
on earth are stained with many sins, deceived by many desires, enslaved by many fears,
endangered by many snares, distracted by many curiosities, entangled with vanities,
surrounded by errors, tired with labors, troubled by temptations, exhausted with pleasure,
tormented with many wants.
2. Afflictions and sorrows are seldom absent. You are surrounded by so many traps and
enemies. Scarcely does one trouble or temptation go, when another arrives. Often enough,
the first trouble is still with you when others come. You may wonder that anyone can love
this earthly existence with its misfortunes, bitterness, and miseries. Yet, in spite of all this,
many love this earthly life and seek all their delight in it.
3. Yet, My loyal follower can smile and be glad through all the darkness and trials. He does
not fix his eyes on the present trial, but on the main purpose of his earthly life. He looks
beyond the present darkness to the horizon where the light of the eternal day will soon break
forth. Then will you be freed from the miserable slavery of your unreasonable desires and
selfish ambitions. Then will you find your perfect joy, your all-satisfying life. You will
possess at last the true liberty of Heaven without any hindrances, without pain of body or
mind-the liberty which I alone can give.
THINK:
Life on earth is short and full of dissatisfactions and necessities. Yet God is a wise and
loving Father. Every parent seems stern when he is training his children. When they have
grown up strong in virtue and firm in character, only then do they appreciate their father's
wisdom and love. So, too, with us. We little dream how weak we are until we feel the call to
ease, selfishness and pride. We might never suspect what we really are if God had not given
~ 45 ~
us a life of trial on earth. God made me for Heaven, a reward I cannot even begin to
imagine. He asks that I do what I can, to be less unworthy of Heaven, by striving on earth
for some of His goodness and holiness.
PRAY:
My loving God, what good is it for me to think myself better than I really am? Lord, if it
were not for my earthly trials, I might never have known how selfish and proud I really am.
I thank you, my God, for giving me this chance to become in fact what I desire to be in
theory. Actions are the proof of true virtue. Every trouble and sorrow on earth was placed
here, or permitted, by Your infinite wisdom. You know what I need, to make me a truly holy
man. Some day I shall thank You for many a trial which now weighs me down. Make me
unselfish enough to follow Your commands, whether my life be filled with prosperity or
misery. Treat me as You wish, and it will be best for me. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 44
Temptations Come to All
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, the devil is never asleep, nor is your flesh dead yet. This means that you must
always be on guard for a battle, since on every side you have enemies who are never at rest.
Your old enemy is opposed to everything that is good. He is never tired of tempting people
to sin. Day and night he lays snares, with the hope that some unsuspecting soul may fall into
his trap. Be on your guard against temptations. Pray often for the grace to overcome them.
2. No man is entirely safe from temptations here on earth. You have within you the source
of temptation, since you were born with concupiscence. Concupiscence of the body is the
blind tendency of your feelings and animal appetites to seek satisfaction, regardless of
intelligence and reason. Concupiscence of the soul consists in an unreasoning and
unreasonable self-favoring, without considering what is true or what is right.
When one temptation or trouble is over, along comes another. While you are on this earth
you will always have something to suffer, because man has lost the original happiness which
I had planned to give him even in this world.
THINK:
Every man gets his share of temptations. How he deals with them shows what he really is. If
he tries his best to lessen the occasions for temptation in his daily life, he is a wise man. The
fool takes chances with temptations and falls into sin. Man's greatest enemy is his
spontaneous, unreasoning self. The devil's greatest ally against my true welfare, is this
foolish self within me. He appeals to it by promising or offering what looks good. If I know
God's way of thinking, I shall recognize Satan's bait, and with God's help, I shall control
my unreasoning desires and foolish self-favoring.
PRAY:
~ 46 ~
My loving Father and all-wise God, I long to reflect Your holy honesty by recognizing
myself for what I really am. Let me not be blind to my weaknesses and faults. I do not want
to favor myself except in the highest way-that is, I want to win eternal life for myself by
following Your holy commands in my daily life. I wish to avoid or contradict whatever
endangers my eternal salvation. In fact, I desire to practice self-control and self-
mortification so as to gain a greater command over my blind passions and unreasonable self-
favoring. Only with such control, can I hope to overcome the many temptations, big or
small, which daily come to me. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 45
No Time or Place Free from Temptations
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, in this world no one is so perfect or so holy that he does not, at some time or
other, experience temptations. You can never be entirely free from them. None of My saints
was ever so sublimely held in prayer, or so illuminated by My grace that he did not suffer
temptations at some time or other.
2. My saints passed through many troubles and temptations, and they profited by these
experiences. Those who are unwilling to stand up and fight temptations, will quickly fall
away from Me. Do not be disturbed that things are not going as you would like them to go.
Look upon your trials as part of your daily life. Bear patiently with what you cannot remedy.
Thus will you prove yourself a true follower of Mine.
3. Temptations may come to you at any hour of the day or night. You will meet them within
yourself, or again they may come from the persons and things around you. No time nor
place is free from temptations, and every person has his share of them. Through all of this,
however, I am close at hand, ready to give My heavenly strength to those who are willing to
fight.
4. In time of temptation you have a chance to prove a more unselfish love for Me. It is then
that you have your best opportunity to rise above your puny self and to reach out to Me.
THINK:
Temptation is the lot of every man. No one is free of it. No place in the world, no time of
day is secure against temptation. Human nature is never fully satisfied, and the devil never
sleeps. Between the two stands Jesus with arms outstretched toward me. I will walk straight
toward Him by guiding my thoughts and controlling my desires, words, and actions. In Him
alone shall I find my all-satisfying joy and happiness. This continual tugging, inside of me
and outside of me, toward Jesus and away from Him, this it is that makes life a daily
warfare.
PRAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, of all the things I choose this day, none is more precious than Your

~ 47 ~
holy Will. You alone can show me the way to Heaven's eternal happiness. Help me to be a
loyal follower of Jesus, Your divine Son. I want to make Him the King of my heart by my
loyalty to His holy example. Let me become better acquainted with Him so that I may think,
speak, and act more like Him every day. No goal can be higher, yet I must not aim any
lower. My true welfare demands this. His boundless generosity with me demands it. I hope,
with Your help, to give Him at least the loyalty of an honest daily effort. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 46
Two Interior Causes of Temptation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, serious temptations can come from a lack of determination, or from too little
confidence in Me. A ship without a rudder is driven to and fro by the winds and waves. So
too, when a man does not bother to work at the virtues he needs, or if he abandons his good
intentions, he is soon tempted by his own faults and weaknesses.

2. I am the Lord, and I give strength in time of trial. Come to Me when things are not going
well with you. Heavenly light and strength are often held back from you because you are so
slow to make use of prayer. How frequently, before you get down to serious prayer, you
look for peace in worldly consolations, and seek your happiness in natural enjoyments or
earthly occupations.
3. You will find little relief in anything until you realize that I am ready to help those who
trust in Me. There is no perfect assistance, no helpful advice, no lasting remedy unless it is
blessed by My love and strengthened by My presence.
THINK:
Lack of determination How often I fall back into the same old faults because I am not
determined to overcome them! A half-hearted resolution is little better than none at all. I
must be fully determined to fight my faults with definite action, not merely with a vague
resolution. I should keep trying, regardless of repeated failures. Insufficient confidence in
God's help, is another reason for my lack of progress in virtue. God will not help a man of
little confidence. I must earn His help by humble prayer, firm confidence, and a sincere
effort to fight my failures.
PRAY:
Lord, where is my true confidence in this life? Of all the persons and things on earth, where
is my greatest consolation? It ought surely to be in You, my Lord and God, Whose mercy
has no limit. Was I ever really well off apart from You? Was I ever poorly off when near to
You? Where You are, there is Heaven; and where You are not, there is death and hell. Let
me live in close contact with you throughout my daily life. In union with You, I shall make
my resolutions together with an honest effort to follow them. Amen.

~ 48 ~
TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 47
The Progress of Temptations
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, watch yourself especially at the beginning of a temptation. You will find it
easier to overcome the enemy if you resist him at once. Stop him at the threshold, at the very
moment when he knocks. He spoke wisely who said, Resist beginnings; all too late the cure
when ills have gathered strength by long delay. Though it is never too late to turn to Me,
you will find it harder to do so, the longer you linger with a temptation.
2. First a simple thought will slip into your mind. This is followed by a strong imagination.
Then comes delight, then an evil inclination, and lastly, consent. Thus, little by little, the
enemy gains full entrance into your soul, when he is not resisted in the beginning.
THINK:
Many a ruined life could have been prevented, if only one had been wise enough to follow
this advice. Too many take chances and linger too long at some pleasure, trying to enjoy as
much as possible without falling into the evil that is there. People are so afraid of missing
something. And so, they step closer and closer to actual sin, until, like a waiting spider, it
reaches out and entangles them.
PRAY:
O Holy Ghost, my God and Sanctifier, in You I hope for the wisdom to recognize sin before
it overcomes me. Grant me strength to resist whatever would draw me into sin. I would have
less faults and sins today if I had turned away from temptation at its very start. With Your
help, I hope to do whatever is necessary to lessen the temptation in my daily life. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 48
Facing Temptations
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, with My help you will gradually overcome these temptations which annoy you
in your daily life. You are never entirely safe from them. As long as you are in this world,
you will have to protect yourself from them. All around you there are people or things which
may appeal to your weakness. When you cannot avoid them, meet them with patience rather
than with anxiety or thoughtless severity. Correct and remedy what you can. As for things
which cannot be remedied, bear them patiently for My sake.
2. Unless you keep your eyes on Me, you cannot stand up under the strain of this daily
warfare. Without My help you will never earn the reward of the Blessed in Heaven. Face life
bravely. With a firm determination, take definite measures to overcome the temptations in
~ 49 ~
your daily life. I will grant heavenly strength to anyone who makes an honest effort. The
sluggard is doomed to miserable failure.
3. Some try to run away from all temptations, and still they go on falling into sin. Flight
alone will not conquer all temptations. Wherever you go, you will always find some
occasion of sin. By humility, patience, and definite action, you will become strong against
the enemies of your soul.
THINK:
Patience will help me to keep calm in my troubles and difficulties. It will help me think
more clearly. As a result, I shall find it easier to turn to God when I need Him. Humility will
help me admit my weakness and nothingness. It will make me less irritable and resentful of
my distasteful experiences. These two virtues will help me have peace in the middle of my
troubles. Then with a definite plan in mind, I can proceed against my faults and conquer my
temptations.
PRAY:

My Jesus, with Your help, I hope to do my best each day to overcome my faults and
increase my virtues. When matters are beyond my efforts, and I can only suffer pain or
disappointment, then let me see Your Divine Providence arranging my life in that way. Let
me accept my cross with patience and humility. I will never stop trying to do my best. As for
results, I leave them in Your loving hands. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 49
Temptation as a Teacher
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when a man of good will is bothered by evil thoughts and inclinations, he
understands more deeply how much he needs Me. He is impressed by his natural weakness
in trying to live a good life.
2. He realizes that perfect security and peace are not to be had in this world. Then he finds
this life less attractive. Death seems to frighten him less because it is the doorway to
Heaven. He may even pray for it to free him from the temptations which surround him.
3. Fear not! Have confidence in Me! After such a storm you will be as strong as ever. I am
always near, to help you grow ever more in goodness and holiness. You will come out of
your trial a better and wiser man.
4. Is anything difficult to Me? Will I fail to keep My promises? Stand firm and keep fighting
against your temptations. Have patience! Be brave and wait for My grace. Your fears will be
conquered by a strong faith and confidence in Me. When you are ready for it, My comfort
and consolation will come to you.
THINK:
~ 50 ~
Temptations tend to sadden and discourage a good man. Yet, he needs simply to turn to God
for help, and then do his best. As long as he is doing his best, he should not fear, nor worry,
nor be discouraged. His wisdom and peace will grow as he sees the passing nature of his
trial.
PRAY:
My Lord, in all my trials and temptations, may I keep my eyes on You! Then it will be much
easier to see the falseness of earthly attractions. I will refuse to be saddened, frightened, or
discouraged by temptations. Nor will I be surprised at the rebellion of my own blind
appetites and desires. For You I hope to fight and conquer all evil tendencies. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 50
Temptations Prove Man's Worth
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, temptations are often very profitable to you, distressing and troublesome
though they be. They help to lessen your foolish pride by showing you your weaknesses.
Without temptations you could deceive yourself into a dangerous self-confidence. They
teach you many things which can help you come closer to Me in your daily life. They can
purify your soul by forcing you to resist evil and practice virtue. Troubles, afflictions and
opposition bring you opportunities for heavenly merit.
2. Temptations prove the real worth of your virtues. Often you do not really know yourself
until you have faced various temptations. They make your virtues shine out, and they help
you to see what spiritual gain you have made. Anyone can act virtuously when things are
going as he desires. The man who keeps his patience in time of adversity, can rightly hope
for a lasting reward from Me.
THINK:
Were I never tempted, I might never know my real self. I cannot be sure of my own sincerity
and motives until I have proved them by action. Anyone can talk about a good life, but the
only real proof of goodness is living a good life. I would hate to find out too late that I am
completely unworthy of God's gifts. My temptations give me a chance to prove how truly I
mean it when I say that I want to please God in all things.
PRAY:
Father of all truth and goodness, let me be loyal to Your holy Will. Your way is the best and
only way to live. Grant me grace to see my many faults and to overcome them for Your
sake. In all temptations, I want to prefer to die rather than offend You by sin. Amen.

TEMPTATION

~ 51 ~
CHAPTER 51
Variety of Temptations
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, some have to bear serious temptations when they resolve to turn to Me. Others
have to fight great temptations towards the end of a good life. There are some who are
bothered by temptations throughout most of their lifetime.
2. Some persons are tempted lightly, in accordance with My wisdom and justice. I have
consideration for the condition and merits of each man, and I plan all things for the salvation
of those who love My law.

3. Some persons are spared from serious temptations and they are often overcome by light
ones in their daily life. I permit this, so that these people may be humbled in their own eyes.
Being aware of their weakness, they will not presume on their own strength and fall into
serious sin.
4. When you experience temptations, do not fear nor despair. Pray for My help and then do
what you can to remove the temptation. Remember the inspired words, God is faithful and
will not permit you to be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation He will also
give you a way out, that you may be able to bear it.
THINK:
May I never become so self-centered as to think that I am the only one who suffers
temptations. There is no more pitiful sight than to meet someone who feels that he has
greater trials than everyone else. Every man has his cross and some people have to bear far
more than I ever could. And yet, this is not a Christian motive for patience and perseverance
in time of trial and temptation. The true follower of Christ has higher reasons for fighting
temptation. His reasons are supernatural. He wishes to avoid hell, or a longer Purgatory than
he now has. He desires to make reparation for past sins by his present efforts. He wants to
please God by overcoming his faults or increasing his virtues. He seeks to help the holy
souls in Purgatory. He is striving to obtain a particular favor for himself or some other
person on earth. He may even be working to insure or increase his glory in Heaven. Finally,
he may have the highest motive of all to give God an unselfish proof of love, by simply
embracing his trials because they are a part of God's all-wise plan.
PRAY:
My Jesus, let me do my best to live my daily life in loyalty to You, my King. I do not want
to complain nor pity myself. I desire, with Your help, to face each task or trial and to handle
it as You desire. Life's daily temptations can make me a real saint. I will not look for
trouble, Lord, but I will do my best to face each hour's duties and trials for You. May I
work, rest, play and suffer as You desire of me. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 52
~ 52 ~
Prayer, First Remedy for Temptations
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, face the truth and never turn your back on facts. As long as you are in this
world, you cannot be free from trouble and temptation. My written word tells you that.
Man's life on earth is a trial. Therefore, do not take temptations too lightly, but guard
against them by frequent prayer and self-denial. In this way the devil Will never take you by
surprise. He is never asleep, but he goes about like a hungry lion, seeking someone whom he
may devour.
Prayer for Light

Enlighten me, O good Jesus, with the brightness of eternal light, and let all darkness depart
from my heart. Let me see through my wandering thoughts and help me to replace them
with good, healthy thinking. Defend me against the evil beasts that come to me in the shape
of attractive desires. Bestow on me true interior peace through Your power, so that Your
praise may echo within my soul as in a holy temple. Command the tempests and storms. Say
to the sea, Be still! Call to the raging wind, Blow not! And there shall be a great calm
within my soul. Amen.
Prayer Against Temptations
O Lord, my God, do not depart far from me. Please look upon me and help me. Evil
thoughts have risen up against me and great fears afflict my soul. How am I to pass on
without being harmed by them? Show me how I may crush them. You have said, I will go
before you and will humble the great ones of the earth. I will open the gates of the prison
and will make known to you hidden secrets. Dear Lord, do as You say, and let all wicked
thoughts and desires flee before Your face. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 53
Seeking Advice
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, those who are still beginners and lack experience in the daily way to holiness,
may easily be deceived and lost unless they follow the advice of wiser men.
2. When temptation upsets your interior peace, seek advice from a spiritual director. Prefer
to follow the counsels of a more experienced man rather than follow your own ideas. Satan
can quote Scripture to his own purpose. He can also imitate My inspirations in many things.
It is not always easy to discover his deceit. Good intentions alone are not enough to make
you holy. You must be right in the course you are following.
3. I left you My Church as a sure guide to My Truth. I have also left you My own example,
and the example and words of My saints. Do not be too proud to follow these helps. Do not

~ 53 ~
despise the proverbs of the past. They are filled with the wisdom of experience.
4. After you receive advice, be wise and humble enough to follow it. Try to discover the
source of your temptations, so that you may root it out of your life. A man who offers only
external resistance to temptations, without removing their causes, will make little progress in
virtue. These temptations will return to him in a short while, and his condition will be the
same, if not worse.
THINK:
Pride or fear prevents many from seeking needed advice. As a result they are hurt more
seriously as they go along in life. It takes humility to admit my faults and my limitations. It
takes courage to do something about them. Will I be a fool and avoid the aid of those who
can help me? Secondly, may I never refuse to others the sympathetic understanding and
assistance which I would want if I were in their trouble.

PRAY:

Dear Father of Wisdom, Lord of Mercy, grant that I may never be so proud and so foolish as
to refuse advice. I want to live an intelligent life. If the advice of others increases my
wisdom in action, give me the humility and courage to follow it. In this way, I hope to avoid
or defeat the temptations of my daily life. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 54
Temptations against Faith
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, some persons are seriously tempted to disbelieve what My Church teaches.
Such temptations are often caused by the devil, the enemy of Truth. He disturbs My
followers because he hates and fears their way of life. He does not bother habitual sinners in
this way because he captures them through other sins. Satan inspires many wrong doctrines
among those who do not know My Church. Under the appearance of good, these errors
appeal to many. Keep close to My Church, and you will never fall into Satan's trap.
Whoever disagrees with the word of My Church, disagrees with Me.
2. If you are tempted in this manner, do not become anxious and troubled. Do not let doubts
rob you of your peace. Simply put your trust in My Church, and the enemy will be put to
flight. Believe My Apostles and their successors. I have guaranteed them from error. He
that hears you, hears Me I told them. Their work is to continue to the end of time.
3. Submit yourself to Me by faith. I want you to know My truth. I will add knowledge to
your soul by grace whenever it is necessary for you. I do not require great learning, nor a
deep understanding of My holy mysteries. What I ask of you is a strong faith in My words
and a virtuous life.
THINK:
~ 54 ~
An honest and humble inquiry after truth is a good thing, as long as I am not trying to depart
from the traditional and sound doctrine of Christ's Church. I must, however, remember that
reason and natural investigation can never penetrate far into the mysteries which God has
revealed. I have to submit my reason to His word. It is foolish for me to believe only what I
can understand. Can not God know and do things which are far beyond my puny
understanding? Will the Author of Truth lead me into error? Sound reason demands that I
believe whatever God reveals, no matter how little I understand it.
PRAY:
Lord, If there are so many things here on earth which I cannot understand, how can I
understand heavenly things? Human reason is weak and limited. It can be so easily
deceived, but true faith can never be deceived. Such faith depends upon Your word, and
Your word is Truth. If Your works were such that they could easily be understood by my
puny human reason, they could hardly be called wonderful and divine. As long as I know
that You speak through Your Church, I shall never doubt what She tells me. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 55
Faith in the Holy Eucharist
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, beware of a curious and useless inquiry into the reality of My presence in the
Blessed Sacrament. At the Last Supper I changed bread and wine into My body and blood. I
then gave My Apostles power to do what I had just done. They in turn passed their powers
and their work on to their successors. And so, today you have the privilege of
receiving Me in Holy Communion. What I did is a historical fact, but it is also a fact that is
far above your understanding, and too wonderful for you to grasp fully.
2. No human can appreciate completely the glory of My works. God, the Eternal and All
present, the Fountain of boundless power, does things which are too grand to be understood
by men. Pray for an increase in faith and love. These two virtues are most powerful to help
you draw closer to Me in the Blessed Sacrament.
3. Blessed is that simplicity which is not tormented with an endless questioning of what it
fails to understand. Is not My word enough for every man? Some have been lost by the
inquiries of pride. You will be wise to make frequent use of this sublime Sacrament. You
will come to know Me better by the graces flowing from Holy Mass and Communion.
THINK:
I ought to live my life with a simple and undoubting faith in God's word, reverently and
humbly approaching Jesus in Holy Communion. There will I find Him waiting for me.
Whatever I cannot understand, I will leave to Him. He can do all things, and He cannot
deceive. Christ, my God and Saviour, walks with the simple, reveals Himself to the humble,
and gives understanding to those who are little in spirit. He teaches the deeper meaning of

~ 55 ~
His words to pure minds, but hides His favor from the curious and the proud.
PRAY:
My Jesus, give me the grace of simplicity, so that I may receive Your words with trust, and
without the opposition of unnecessary inquiry. You proved Your divine power during Your
earthly life. Therefore, Your word is the word of God, and I believe it, no matter how little I
may understand it. You are the Fountain of all truth and goodness. In You I put all faith and
trust. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 56
Putting Off Holy Communion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not doubt your readiness to receive Me in Holy Communion. It is not
necessary to have holy sentiments and devout feelings. just do the best you can, and come to
Me. Follow the advice of wise counselors and lay aside all anxieties and scruples. Too much
thinking can stop My grace from helping you. Reject all anxiety. It can take your attention
away from Me, so that you no longer hear My voice within your soul.
2. Then again, avoid the other extreme of receiving Me without a reasonable preparation. I
do not expect you to be perfect, but I do expect you to aim at perfection by doing your best.
Be it ever so poor, if you are doing your best, I am pleased with you.
3. Some people are so half-hearted in dealing with Me that it makes little difference to them
whether they receive Me or not. They think nothing of putting off Confession and Holy
Communion. They are not particularly interested in coming closer to Me. Some of them
deliberately stay away from Me, for fear of learning their obligations better. They do not
want to change their ways too much. If they go to hell, it will be because they refused to let
Me help them. Do your best, but be sure that you are not deceiving yourself. Do your real
best, and fear neither man nor devil, for I am always with you.
THINK:
If I am wise I will follow this wonderful advice. As long as I am trying my best, I have no
reason to be afraid or anxious. I can not afford to stay away from Christ in the Mass and in
Holy Communion. It is dangerous to stay away from Him for any length of time. Then again
I must guard against self-deception. He deserves my best. If I think of my own convenience
and inconvenience, I will fail Christ and avoid His Will in many things. He knows and
wants only what is best for me.
PRAY:
My Jesus, You went to the trouble of leaving me Your Holy Sacraments. In them You
forgive my sins and give me greater wisdom and strength. I will not neglect this spiritual
medicine and food. Nor will I do anything unworthy of these gifts, by carelessness or half-
~ 56 ~
heartedness. With their help, I hope to overcome my faults and increase my virtues in daily
life. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 57
Missing Holy Communion
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, Satan knows what great light and strength I give to those who receive Me
devoutly in Holy Communion. Therefore, he tries, by every trick he knows, to keep people
away from Me. He aims his worst attacks and illusions at some persons just when they think
of going to Communion.
2. I have revealed in the holy book of job that the wicked spirit has been allowed to go
among men and to tempt them. So it is that he annoys My followers with his wickedness. He
tries to make them fearful and anxious, or even over-confident and careless. In this way he
intends to lessen their loyalty to Me. By keeping them away from Holy Communion, he
hopes to corrupt their faith and their love for Me.
3. You need never fear Satan nor any of his followers. Pay not the least attention to any of
his tricks and suggestions, be they ever so shameful and hateful. Turn them back on his own
head. He deserves only contempt and scorn. Never be so foolish as to omit Holy
Communion because of unholy imaginations and feelings. Do your best to think of other
things, and come to Me with confidence.
THINK:
My will and my continued efforts show my real self. Imaginations and feelings do not
belong to the real me, except when I accept them and want them. By keeping close to
Christ in Holy Communion, I shall receive the strength to overcome all temptations. As
often as possible I will go to Jesus in Mass and Communion.
PRAY:
O Jesus, ever-present in the Blessed Sacrament, You wish to come to me as often as
possible, so that You may grant me light and strength for life's daily battle. I shall not
hesitate to come to You. Keep my will free of all sinful desires. With Your help I hope to
overcome or at least disregard, the unreasonable imaginations and blind appetites of my
lower nature. I do not want them. I want only You and Your holy Will. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 58
Spiritual Tepidity
CHRIST:

~ 57 ~
MY CHILD, spiritual tepidity is another name for halfhearted service of God. A tepid man
does not usually avoid his duty, but neither is he enthusiastic about it. He does as little as
possible, and often does it through habit. He has lost the joy of serving Me.
2. When you start to grow lukewarm in serving Me, consult your spiritual director. You are
slipping into a dangerous condition of soul on which your future may depend. The tepid soul
is afraid to exert itself. It begins to look for consolation from the worldly things
around it. The tepid man has contracted a disease which brings spiritual death. The germs
that will kill his soul are laziness and worldliness.

THINK:

Tepidity, as a mood, comes to most people at some time or other. In this mood one loses for
the moment his enthusiasm and zeal in working for God and Heaven. The really tepid man,
however, is one who has allowed this mood to become a habit. As a result, he now has no
desire for prayer, and he no longer fears and fights temptations as he should. One who does
not arouse himself against tepidity, loses many actual graces and opportunities to do good.
Without perceiving it, he is slipping closer and closer to serious sin by failing to recognize
the occasion of sin.
PRAY:
Lord, protect me against this disease. How will I end up if I start so easily to grow tepid?
Will I look for ease and rest on earth, as though I had already arrived in the heavenly
country? I still have to fight against the enemies of my soul, and I cannot afford to act as
though I were secure against serious sin. In prayer, work, and penance let me serve You. I
shall seek to know Your Will ever more clearly so that I may serve You, not in my own
way, but in the way which You desire. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 59
Remedies for Tepidity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, it is a sad sight for Me to see men living disorderly lives. I made them for
eternal glory. Little do they realize how harmful it is to neglect their daily duties, or to
perform them carelessly. Pay attention to your purpose in life, and keep before your mind
the image of your crucified King. Consider My earthly life, and blush if you are not doing
your best to imitate Me.
2. Your loyalty and progress in serving Me ought to improve each day. Nowadays it is
considered a great thing if one can just hold on to some of his original enthusiasm. A person
is considered great if he merely avoids evil, or if he can be patient enough to endure life's
daily burdens. Greatness lies not merely in avoiding evil, but especially in doing
good.

~ 58 ~
3. It grieves Me to see how half-hearted and negligent so many people are. How quickly
they lose their devotion and grow tired of the higher life, because of laziness and spiritual
tepidity. May your desire to progress in virtue grow greater each day. Study the holy
examples of My saints and learn to appreciate their continual loyalty to Me.
THINK:
If I thought more often of death than of a long life, I would be far more eager to advance in
virtue. Occasional thinking about the reality of hell and Purgatory will help me to bear the
labors, sorrows, and hardships of daily life. No longer would I love flattery and praise, nor
would I be so lazy and half-hearted in serving Christ, my King. I ought to think often about
His life and make it the model of my own daily life.
PRAY:
My Saviour, each hour of the day is an important part of my life. Whether I am at work, or
play, or rest, I can do these things in a holy way or in a sinful way. Each hour brings its
chances for patience, kindness, unselfishness, and other virtues. If I am half-hearted, I will
not make the effort needed for acting as God desires. I can cure this disease by spiritual
guidance, variety in prayer, meditations on Your life and sufferings, and frequent use of the
Sacraments. My Jesus, give me the grace to do whatever I need to avoid tepidity in my
daily life. Amen

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 60

Evil Thoughts
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not be troubled if you are visited by evil tendencies or strange imaginings.
Keep your resolutions firm and your intention clear before Me. You are not suffering from
illusions, even though at one moment you are full of spiritual desires and joy, and then
shortly afterwards you are back in your foolish ways. Some of your defects are to be borne
patiently for My sake. I will not hold them against you. In fact, they bring you great merit as
long as you are truly displeased with them and refuse to consent to them.
2. I permit the devil to wander over the earth. He is continually trying to kill your desire for
Me. He tries in many different ways to draw you away from every holy exercise. He can
hurt you only if you follow his suggestions. In his attempts to draw you away from Me, he
studies you to see where you are weakest.
3. Satan suggests evil thoughts to cause weariness or despair in you. He would like to draw
you away from all prayer, holy reading, or any good work. He dreads seeing anyone make a
humble confession. If he could he would stop you from receiving Me in Holy Communion.
And yet, in spite of his frantic and constant efforts against you, he is helpless if you decide
to stand by Me, with faith, hope and love.
4. Despise the enemy, and fear him not. Fix your attention on your daily occupations.

~ 59 ~
Follow My words in your daily life. Seek grace and inspiration by prayer and meditation.
Think often of My life. Honor My saints. Recall and detest your sins. Watch over your
desires, thoughts, and intentions. Make your resolutions, renew them often, and do your best
to follow them. Trust in My wisdom and love for the rest.
THINK:
I need not think that I am less loyal to our Lord when I have lost that feeling of devotion
which I desire to have toward God and His saints. Holy feelings are a favor which God
grants for a moment. They are a short foretaste of Heaven. They are not meant to be a
permanent gift in this life. Therefore, I must not depend on them. My true virtues and merit
are best known when those feelings are not present. In everyday, hum-drum activities how
well do I fulfill my duties? What kind of resistance do I offer to my unreasoning tendencies
and desires within me? How devotedly do I try to please God in all things? The devil has not
a chance against me if I am really doing my best.
PRAY:
Dear Father of Light, when my mind is overclouded with confusion or anxieties, grant me
the light of Your grace, so that I may fix my eyes on Your truth and walk safely toward
Heaven. In Your Church I will seek Your guidance as You desire me to do. All the powers
of hell are helpless against me, if I will only be wise enough to seek Your truth and use the
strength of Your holy Sacraments. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 61
Fear
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, in many a trial and trouble, I come to you and ask you to believe in Me. Put
your confidence in Me, and prove that you mean it, by refusing to worry. If your trials were
not good for you, I would remove them at once.
2. Do not be frightened. Why worry about coming events? Take care of today's problems,
and leave tomorrow in My hands. Many of tomorrow's troubles are only in your
imagination. How do you know that you will live another day? Did you ever stop to think of
the numberless things which can prevent the trouble which you fear? Lastly, remember that
nothing can happen without My consent. Place yourself in My care and fear nothing.
3. The devil can easily make men think wrongly when they live on their feelings. He appeals
to their likes and dislikes, and so corrupts their ideas of right and wrong. He gradually
guides them as he pleases. His slaves walk blindly along the road to Hell, controlled by their
feelings and drugged by their imagination,
4. You will never make this mistake if you are guided by reason and faith. Listen to My
voice coming to you through My Church. Follow My words. Keep your eyes on Me. Do not
let the world blind you to My presence and My love. Fear not-1 am near you. With Me you

~ 60 ~
are walking toward eternal life. Walk bravely on and follow My Will in all things. My peace
will be with you.
THINK:
Imagination and feelings rule the lives of many. As a result they fear and avoid a number of
things. They do not think with their intelligence, but with their feelings. They exaggerate the
unpleasant so much, that they cannot bear to face it. They are slaves of their fears. I must let
my intelligence and God's grace bring light and freedom into my daily life. I'll listen often to
His words as He speaks to Me through His Church and through grace. By doing this, I will
be free of many fears.
PRAY:
Lord, what have I to fear? You know all things and foresee everything which is to happen to
me. Nothing can happen without Your consent. you will never consent to anything which is
really bad for me. Knowing all this, can I have anything other than peace in my daily life?
Let me not offend You by a lack of confidence. I trust in You. I will do my best to remedy
whatever difficulties arise, but whatever be the results of my efforts, I will accept them as
Your holy Will. In Your all-wise and loving Will I will find my peace. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 62
Despair
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when temptations persist and keep returning, do not despair. In all real needs I
am always near and ready to help you. I will give you My grace and whatever else is
necessary for you to keep out of sin.
2. Do not fear or worry. Keep your courage high, and be prepared to go on fighting your
temptations. You are not lost because you are tempted often. Your human inclinations do
not always follow reason, and so they provide many a temptation to sin.
3. Your first step toward safety lies in realizing your weakness. Secondly, do not become
discouraged by temptations. Simply keep on doing your best to turn your mind and will
toward other objects. No temptation can make you sin.
4. How often it happens that someone is making his greatest progress at the very time when
he thinks that he is slipping. I look at your intention and your effort. By these I judge your
loyalty to Me.
5. Go on trying for My sake. Do not consider yourself a failure simply because you feel like
one. Be brave and follow Me. I have overcome the world. With My help you shall win the
daily battle for Heaven.
THINK:

~ 61 ~
The tendency to give up is in all men. To overcome it, God gives us the virtue of hope. Why
despair? All is not lost just because I feel that it is so. God wants me to hope in His mercy
and to trust in His love. Temptations may come and go; they may even linger for hours and
days, but it is my will which decides what I really want and what I am in the eyes of God.
PRAY:

My God, I want to obey Your law and follow Your Will in all things. Though my feelings
may reach out for what is bad, help me to do what is right and good. Give me a glimpse of
Your is right and good. Give me a glimpse of Your wisdom, so that I may see more clearly
what harm and evil is in all sin. If I should fail in a moment of weakness, let me not despair.
I hope in Your mercy. I trust in Your goodness and love. Never will I think that my sins are
greater than Your mercy. No matter how bad I have been, Your goodness is great enough to
forgive me. Give me the wisdom and strength to hate I all sin in the future. I shall not
despair nor will I be discouraged by my mistakes. Help me to fight an honest daily baffle
against all sin. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 63
Vain Hopes

CHRIST:
MY CHILD, some men depend too much on human help or earthly remedies. They forget
that every earthly thing is in My hands, and that without Me nothing is of any help. Worldly
men trust mainly in their own talents and possessions, or in the power and help of their
friends.
2. Money, health, reputation, friends, admiration, superiority over others, these things seem
like treasures to worldly men. Yet, these things are not really as valuable as they seem.
3. I am the treasure which brings peace and everlasting joy. When you have Me, you have
the one treasure which cannot be taken from you. Hold on to Me by faith and loyalty. Do not
depend too much on human beings or earthly helps. Your greatest hope should always be in
Me.
4. My love for you will help you and save you where human friends fail and earthly things
are of no assistance.
THINK:
The man who lives only for what this life can offer him, is due to face great disappointment
and bitter self-reproach. The things he depends on are short-lived. When his earthly life is
over, he will see what a fool he is. Jesus alone can give the unbounded love and joy which
the human heart craves, but the worldly man will find that he has lost Jesus.
PRAY:

~ 62 ~
My Jesus, in You I place all my hopes and desires. To You I offer all my sorrows, trials, and
disappointments. Let me never treasure what can take me away from You, nor desire
anything which can keep me from doing Your holy Will. No friend nor any created thing
can take Your place in my life. Stay with Me and teach me how to live my life in union with
You. Enlighten me, strengthen me, and correct me, so that I may seek You first and love
You above all else. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 64
Worldly Prosperity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, at times you feel that your earthly life would be much easier if you did not
have to follow My law. Worldly people seem to enjoy themselves so much, without
bothering about Me. Do not be deceived by appearances. Their life is not as desirable as it
may seem.
2. True, they follow after pleasure and forget themselves for the present. In everyone's life,
however, there arrive moments when his thoughts turn to himself. One is bound to reflect
sooner or later on the shortness of earthly satisfactions. The man who has forgotten Me, will
look back and see all his pleasures and joys at an end. Never again will he look forward to
happiness.
3. Even while enjoying this world's good things, the worldly man has his share of worries,
bitterness, and fear. He knows the meaning of disappointment and failure.
4. As smoke disappears quickly in mid-air, so too will earth's joys vanish. Often enough
earthly pleasures cease pleasing even before they have been lost. What was supposed to
bring happiness, too often brings sorrow and disappointment. Many a prominent man of the
world ended his days in bitterness.
5. How sad to see young people looking forward to joys and satisfactions which older
worldlings have already found too brief and disappointing. Blindly and foolishly, youth runs
after the pleasures of earth, forgetting about the only lasting joy--Heaven. Falsely they
reason: Why think now about Heaven or hell when death is still so far off?
THINK:
What fools we humans are! We think straight on so many things but when it comes to
thinking about eternity, our thinking slows down or stops altogether. To get a clear idea of
the shortness of earthly pleasures and joys, I need only to look on the happiness of last year,
or even last week. It seemed so all-important then, but it is now faded and gone. Will I ever
have so much esteem for that kind of prosperity and happiness that I would sin for them?
Would I risk the never ending and perfect happiness of Heaven for such brief and
incomplete happiness? Only a fool would hesitate at such a choice.

~ 63 ~
PRAY:
My loving God, You want to give me the very best, the all-satisfying happiness of Heaven.
You do not forbid me the enjoyments of earthly life, so long as I use them intelligently and
rightly. What You forbid is my foolish love for what is wrong and unworthy of my human
dignity. Grant me a love for your wisdom, and let me follow Your Will in all things. You
alone can give me the perfect, unimaginable happiness which will fill my soul with eternal
joy. You ask me to prepare myself for it by a life of goodness and wisdom on earth. I hope
in Your help. I now begin again, dear Lord. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 65
Desire for Human Appreciation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, some people are anxious to make a good impression and to be esteemed.
Others have a strong desire for many friends. Though these things are good, to seek them
too intently is dangerous. Such a desire can make a man more eager to please men than to
please Me.
2. Though you owe every man a reasonable consideration and respect, you owe Me far
more. When people expect you to do something foolish or downright sinful, rise above all
human consideration and remain loyal to Me. In your daily life, treasure My love and
friendship above all else. If you are wise, you will avoid anyone who draws you away from
Me.
3. Sometimes you do your neighbor more good by not letting him know you too well.
Familiarity may show him faults and defects which he had not suspected of you. Because of
this he may lose the inspiration which your words and example had previously given to him.
You need have no fear of being a hypocrite, as long as you are really trying to become as
good as others think you are. Too often people will judge you more by your failures and
weaknesses than by your efforts and ideals.
4. It is foolish to fix your heart on human favor and approval. What others think of you will
often depend on what they themselves are, or on how they feel at the time. Human favor is
not always based on truth. For My sake give due consideration to every man, but do not seek
human admiration and appreciation.
5. Sometimes it is best to avoid human attention and to seek Me in solitude. The praises and
admiration of men can turn your head to thoughts of pride, vanity, and foolish self-
satisfaction. Some think you better than you really are, and others think you worse. I know
what you really are and what you are trying to be.
THINK:
One who is eager to be understood and appreciated by men is a weak man. In this life God
alone esteems me as I deserve. His judgment of me will be known and accepted by all men

~ 64 ~
on the last day. The secret of true greatness is to follow God's Will in all things. I need not
care for a single instant what any man may think or say. Nothing on earth is more foolish
and empty than the unkind thoughts and rash judgments of human beings.
PRAY:
My God, human judgments depend on so many changing circumstances! I can never hope
to please You, and still please everyone else in this life. Let me never needlessly offend any
human being. Yet, when it is a matter of doing what is right, let me not fear human opinions.
Your judgments will stand before all men and angels at the Last judgment. I want Your
approval of my life, because Your word is Truth. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 66
Foolish Pride
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, whatever good things you possess, do not think too highly of yourself. Let Me
be your greatest treasure, and let everything else take second place.
2. Whether you be rich, or powerful, or popular, or attractive, remember the plain truth
about yourself, and you will not become a victim of foolish pride.
3. Whatever good is in you, it belongs to Me. The things of which men so often boast, are
Mine. They consider themselves better than their neighbor because of some talent, ability, or
circumstance which I placed at their disposal. I could just as easily have given these things
to those who are at present less gifted.
4. Do as much good as you can in your daily life, but beware of becoming proud of your
deeds. Without Me you can do nothing. If you consider yourself better than others, you are
certainly a fool. I can make anybody and everybody else your superior if I so choose.
THINK:
If God has numbered the very hairs of my head, how can I think highly of myself? I am
completely dependent on Him for my next breath. This knowledge should make me fear all
pride and self-satisfaction. I can never be impressed deeply enough by the fact of my
nothingness. Of myself and without God's gifts, I am nothing. This fact is the basis of all
true humility. Can I ever consider myself better than any human on earth? How do I feel
when others look down on me? So too, do others feel when I show a Sense of superiority.
Even if I do not show it, God sees my pride and hates it, because pride is based on a false
self-esteem.
PRAY:
My God, lover of Truth, only You are great by Your very nature! All other greatness, virtue,
and goodness are Your gifts to us. Have mercy on this proud heart of mine. Please impress
me with the truth of my nothingness. Then will 1, at last, become kind, considerate, and
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charitable to those around me. Grant me Your grace, dear Lord, and I will never again, in
thought or action, raise myself above anyone else. In gratitude for Your many gifts, I will try
to spread Your goodness by being good to others. Kill the pride within me, even if you have
to humble me before others. Only spare me the terrible humiliation of having the whole
world see my ugly pride at the Last judgment. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 67
Self-Deception
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, you have no idea how easy it is for men to deceive themselves in this earthly
life. Many think that they are living a good life simply because they are performing a few
external works. They go to church once or twice a week, say some prayers daily, and
commit no public crimes.
2. Yet, I am displeased with them. In their everyday life, they live as though they depended
not on Me, but on themselves alone. In a crowd they are not particularly noticeable for their
patience, or kindness, or sympathy, or unselfishness.
3. Many are too interested in following their daily occupations and interests to bother how I
want them to follow these things. They do not deny My wisdom in theory. They simply
disregard it in practice. They act as though I did not quite understand their daily problems.
Actually it is they who do not understand their daily problems. If they followed My words,
many of their difficulties would cease being problems.
4. Some people are afraid to apply My words to their everyday life. They are afraid of losing
some worldly advantage or earthly enjoyment. These are the people who want to get to
Heaven with the least possible inconvenience to themselves. They work, sweat, and suffer,
and sacrifice for their earthly interests. Their only check is their fear of hell, not their love
for Me.
5. Some people worry their way through life. They do not realize how very interested I am
in their daily life, how very dear they are to Me. They act as though I were not interested in
their daily needs and difficulties. Too seldom do they think of My nearness, power, wisdom,
and love as they go about their daily business.
6. True, a number of these people are being blindly and foolishly selfish with Me. Still, this
is not the case with all of them. The real reason why many give Me a partial loyalty and do
only part of what I command, is that they do not see how My words are to be applied in their
daily life. They read: Thou shalt not kill, and then in the same Scriptures they read how I
sent My chosen people to make war on their enemies. They find mysteries and apparent
contradictions in the Bible, and so, in their confusion, they make up a religion of their own.
7. For this reason did I establish My Church, I gave My Apostles and their followers the
power to preach My Truth to all, and I promised to be with them until the end of time. With

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My help, My Church will interpret My words and commandments. I did not intend that men
should have good will and still go on in doubt, guess-work, confusion and fear.

THINK:
There is no reason for self-deception in my following of Christ. I can learn His Will through
His Church. If my strength fails me, I can double and triple it over and over again through
the Sacraments. My daily life proves how true are my faith in Jesus and my love for Him.
Am I one of those whose lives prove them atheists or selfish followers with weak faith,
feeble confidence, and cool love?
PRAY:
Jesus, my King and Lord, how much more must You do to prove to me Your wisdom,
power, and love? I want my daily life to prove that I believe in You, trust in You, and love
You above all else. Help me to learn more about Your religion, so that I may appreciate it
better. I hope to make better use of Your holy Sacraments, so that You may give me the
strength to do what my natural strength can never accomplish. You want me to give You an
intelligent service and loyalty. I want the same thing. I hope to begin today to follow You
to Heaven. Amen. TEMPTATION CHAPTER 68

The Virtue of Self-Distrust

CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as long as you are on earth, you cannot be certain of your true worth. Only
after death will you know everything about yourself. Each day you will learn more about
yourself, even things which you do not now suspect.
2. Every man is something of a mystery to himself. In every human heart there is plenty of
room for self-deception. The intention which you claim, may not be the real reason which
moves you. Deep within you there may be other reasons, selfish, worldly reasons. Because
of this truth I want you to develop a healthy Self distrust and a supernatural trust in My help.
No matter how holy you may feel, never trust yourself too far. Refuse to rely on yourself
alone. Without Me you are nothing, and without My help, you can do nothing worthy of
Heaven.
3. Your first reaction to this truth might be to worry about your salvation. I have no desire to
alarm you, nor do I wish to make you an abnormal self-centered person. I simply want you
to live according to the truth. I did not die on the cross that you might be lost, but that you
might gain Heaven. You must do your part in this plan. Make a sincere intention to obey My
commandments in your daily life. Prove your sincerity by an honest daily effort. In any
doubt consult My Church for direction. After you have done all this, place all your hope and
confidence in My love and mercy.
4. My saints were truly wise in their suspicion of self. Realizing that eternity awaited them
in Heaven or hell, they were determined to take no chances with self-deception. They
overcame it by a holy self-contempt and self-distrust. They did this in an intelligent way.
They fixed their eye on My boundless perfection, the passing nature of earthly life, and the
folly of losing Heaven's eternal joy and glory. This vision convinced them that I deserved
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the best from them, and that their best was all too little for Me. They made doubly sure of
their unselfishness with Me by avoiding many things which self desired and by embracing
many things which self disliked.
5. Even while practicing all this self-denial, they continued to pray that no self-deception
might remain in their souls. They made frequent acts of hope, that their good works,
penances, and prayers might be acceptable to Me. Without worry, fear, or foolish distress,
they admitted My infinite greatness, confessed their weakness and littleness, and appealed to
My mercy and love to help them gain eternal life.
THINK:
How true! So often when I thought I was doing something for God, I became angry, spiteful,
or uncharitable toward those who interfered with my plans! The fact that I lost my self-
control was proof that I was not working for God at all! My worst enemy is within me -this
blind, puny, selfish self! Only when I act for God alone, will my action be at its best. I must
pray daily with humility and with hope that I may overcome this contemptible self within
me. It deserves contempt because it opposes God's wisdom and goodness. I should treat this
self as though it were a child which needs to be trained. Then I should proceed to train it
daily by acts of unselfishness and self-denial.
PRAY:
My God, the wisest men of all times are Your saints. You were the object of all their
desires. Everything else was secondary. I too desire to place You first in my life. In order to
do this I shall have to control this blind, self-seeking self within me. You want what is good
for me, not just a temporary good, but what is best for me forever. In following self, I shall
lose You. 0 let me make efforts to be sure that self shall never control me. I want to practice
more prayer, unselfishness, and self-denial in my daily activities. I shall seek greater
strength in Your Sacraments. Let me treat this foolish self within me with the contempt it
deserves. This will be much easier if I keep my eyes on Your wonderful goodness and love.
Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 69
Interior Honesty
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when I give you heavenly light and strength do not become proud and self-
satisfied. Remember how weak and miserable you are when you are without these gifts.,
One who is over-confident when matters are going well, often goes to the other extreme of
discouragement, sadness, or fear when temptations and difficulties come.
2. Be convinced of your complete dependence on Me. Without Me you are nothing. A deep
appreciation of this truth will help you to control your thoughts and desires. It will keep
you strong in time of temptation, so that you will not fall so easily into sin.

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3. Fight like a good soldier. If you should fall through weakness, pray for greater help and
rise with more determination than before. Beware of self-satisfaction and pride. These two
evils lead men into error and sometimes make them incurably blind to their faults and
failures. Learn your lesson from the downfall of those who foolishly trusted to their own
ability. Let it be a warning to keep you always humble.
THINK:
God has a definite plan for me, a plan which is mainly concerned with my eternal salvation.
At times He gives me an interior joy, peace, and eagerness to do more good. At other times
He takes away these interior gifts, and I feel dejected, dull, perhaps even sad and
discouraged. A level-headed person tries to live a balanced life, without giving in to his
moods and feelings. When God sends him spiritual light and joy, he tries to enjoy these
gifts with self-control, remembering that shortly he will experience spiritual trials which
will take away this present enjoyment. So too, in time of trial, he reminds himself of the joy
which he had previously and will have again in due time. Such a person avoids extreme
changeableness and the undependability of those who act on their feelings and moods. He
is reliable both with God and with his fellow-men, because he seeks to keep control of
himself, whether he feels himself raised up in joy or submerged in spiritual darkness and
sadness.
PRAY:
My God and Creator, the truth is that I am completely dependent on You for all things.
Without You I am nothing and can do nothing. If I admit this dependence on You by my
daily life, I shall become truly great. Make me honest enough to live according to this truth.
I hope to strive harder to please You in my daily occupations and activities. I will refuse to
become proud when I enjoy Your gifts, nor will I become discouraged when You take Your
gifts away from me. You have reasons for the way You treat me. I hope to keep my mind on
Your boundless wisdom and love, whatever happens today. Whether I enjoy peace or suffer
trials, I want my loyalty to Your holy Will to remain unchanged and unwavering. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 70
Temptation to Presumption
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, the devil tempts you to the sin of presumption in two ways. He does it either
by suggesting that My mercy will easily spare you from the punishment due to your sins, or
by convincing you that you are strong enough to face any temptation. He is the father of lies
and the arch-deceiver. My mercy is above all My works, but it does not destroy My justice.
2. Though I suffered and died to obtain pardon for your sins, you must also do your part in
the work of salvation. Have faith in Me; obey My Church; do penance for your sins; and
avoid the near occasions of sin. Only if you do your part, will you receive My mercy. Once
you are called by the Angel of death, the time for mercy will be over. Then you will meet
only justice.
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3. As for relying too much on your own strength, remember your complete dependence on
Me for each breath, each heart-beat, each second of life. Whoever thinks himself
independent and strong, is a fool. He who loves danger shall perish in it. If you presume too
much on your strength, you will find yourself weaker than you ever expected.
4. When I give you interior light and heavenly strength, do not be too ready to make them
known to others. Remember your unworthiness, and you will make better use of My gifts.
You will use them gratefully, humbly and carefully.
THINK:
Presumption is a fool's dream. Man is nothing if God abandons him. One who is convinced
of his complete dependence on God, is safe from the sin of presumption and from many
other sins. He works and does his best, trusting in God for the necessary strength. When he
succeeds in anything, he gives thanks to God. If he fails, he offers God his intentions and his
efforts. I should look to God in all things. By being truthful and honest with myself, I will
avoid the sin of presumption. God will grant me light and strength to walk daily
toward eternal life.
PRAY:

My God and my All, bestow on me the wisdom and honesty to admit my nothingness. Let
me do this not merely with words, but especially by my daily actions. Let me not pretend to
be bigger than I really am. I will never again try to do what is above my strength. As far as
possible I hope to avoid all occasions of serious sin. Those who presume on their own
strength and wisdom, are in danger of falling away from You. I desire only that I may daily
do my best for Your sake. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 71
Folly of Over-Confidence
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, beware of over-confidence. It can hurt you badly. Never be satisfied with
yourself, but try to become better each day.
2. The only man who is safe from serious sin, is the one who fears it. You are very weak.
The lightest temptation would conquer you, were it not for My grace.
3. Do not take chances; avoid every occasion of sin, whether it be a person, a place, or a
thing.
4. The saints, with all their virtues and penances, did not trust themselves at all. How can
you take chances, with all your faults and weaknesses? He that loves danger shall perish in
it. If you want to gamble with your soul, remember that you yourself are the stake. You will
be lost forever in hell if you die in mortal sin.

~ 70 ~
5. The only security from hell is a life of continual effort against your faults and weaknesses.
Pray often for strength and avoid all near occasions of sin.
THINK:
The security of sinners arises from presumption, pride, and spiritual blindness. Eternity is
never-ending. The very possibility of losing Heaven is a terrifying thought. That is why the
saints refused to take chances with temptations and sin. The reward which God will give to
his loyal followers is too grand for any description. So too, the eternal state of the lost souls
is more terrible than I can even imagine. I cannot afford to take chances in my daily life. I
may hope in God's mercy and help, but never should I presume on His goodness. God is
kind in every way, but He cannot tolerate presumption. He will not take me to Heaven
unless I have done my part to gain this glorious privilege. After I die, His infinite justice will
treat me as I deserve.
PRAY:
My loving Father, God of Truth, let me see how truly wonderful Your plan of salvation is.
To every man You give many opportunities to rise above this visible earthly life, with its
limitations and passing satisfactions. All of us are given the grace to develop a supernatural
life of virtue. Each one has the opportunity to share Your divine wisdom by following Your
Will. Your grace gives us a heavenly strength to rise above the forces and attractions of this
world. Whatever I achieve on earth, let me always remember that without you I am
nothing. To You be all thanks, praise, and loyal service each hour of the day. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 72
The Danger of Over-Confidence
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, the security which My saints felt was always tempered with a healthy fear of
My justice, but the security of worldly men arises from their pride or presumption. Such
men have succeeded in deceiving themselves. They would be horrified if they could see the
indescribable risk which they are taking.
2. I want you to have a normal, healthy self-confidence, but be sure that it is based on facts.
One fact is that without Me you can do nothing. Self-reliance is good only when it comes
from a strong confidence in Me.
3. The self-reliance and over-confidence of worldly men comes from a mistaken idea of
their own greatness, or from a selfish notion that I will pardon them regardless of their
faults. Then again, some feel that they are strong enough to face any occasion of sin.
4. At times those who were most respected and admired by men, were in great danger
because they forgot their human weakness.
5. Temptations are no sin. In fact, they are often a blessing in disguise because they help
men to realize how weak they are. Still, to place oneself in temptation is folly. He that loves
~ 71 ~
danger can only blame himself if he perishes in it. No man can afford to take chances in the
matter of temptation. You will have enough to do simply fighting off the temptations which
come uninvited. Do not trust yourself too far or you will be placing yourself in temptation.
THINK:
Over-confidence is dangerous. It makes me take risks where there is serious danger of sin.
God cannot bless foolishness, and over-confidence is foolishness. I will trust in God, but I
will not tempt Him to abandon me to my stupidity. I will bravely face the dangers which
have to be faced in my daily life. When, however, I am able to avoid occasions of sin, I will
not hesitate to do so.
PRAY:
My Jesus, can I reasonably expect Your help if I do not bother to avoid occasions of sin?
Why do I think that I can take chances? The man who takes risks in this matter is being
presumptuous. He expects You to give him extra graces against the danger which he brings
on himself. I must do Your Will, not mine. Lord, I shall never fail to have confidence in
Your assistance, but I refuse to place myself unnecessarily in any danger of sin. That is the
wisdom which You desire of me. Let me avoid, as far as possible, all persons and things
which draw me closer to sin. I hope that I may never off end You by over-confidence in my
own ability or in presuming on Your extra help. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 73
The Dangers of Knowledge
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, knowledge is often the cause of pride and vanity. Some people consider
themselves better than others because of their knowledge. They do not realize that
knowledge is worth nothing unless it makes one a better man in his daily life.
2. Knowledge can bring many useless distractions. Many things will make no difference in
your life whether you know them or not.
3. Some are so distracted by the pursuit of knowledge that they no longer consider their
faults and defects. If they were as diligent in rooting out vices and acquiring virtues as they
are eager for knowledge, the world would be a better place.
4. Some prefer to be honored rather than be humble, and they are lost in their own Self-
centered imaginings. They are ruined through vain learning and unprofitable knowledge
because they forget Me.

5. The self-wise are rarely able to take orders. They value others only by their knowledge or
lack of it, as though man were made up only of intellect.
THINK:

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Knowledge is half the man. Action is the other half. The more I learn the more will I see that
I am ignorant of many things. True education humbles a man by showing him the grandeur
of God's creation, and his own littleness. The most learned men are deeply aware that they
know little. If ever I think that education makes me better than my neighbor, then I have
missed the spirit of true education. True education should show me more and more of God's
place in the world and the glorious meaning of everyday life. Every bit of knowledge can
help me in some way, but I must prefer to learn best whatever will enrich my life most,
God's teachings through His Church. Unless my learning leads me on to a better life, it is a
waste of precious time. A virtuous life makes me dear to God. Education is intended to help
me live such a life.
PRAY:
My Jesus, what will it profit me to talk and dispute about great things, if I am not doing
great things? My greatest achievement before Your heavenly Father is to advance each day a
little closer to Your holiness and goodness. On the Day of judgment, I shall not be asked
how much I have learned, but rather how much I have done. True, I must first learn what is
to be done, but let me not think more of learning than of doing. I want to understand ever
better what You desire of me. Then, with Your help, I wish to go forth and do it. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 74
Knowledge Without Virtue
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, the desire for knowledge is natural and normal, but it is not good unless this
knowledge helps you to become a better man. A simple workingman who follows My words
is far better than a learned professor who does not care about My commandments.
2. Your daily life is a journey toward eternity. The knowledge which helps you to gain
Heaven, is the first and most important knowledge for you. The more you learn of Me and
My doctrine, the better for you.
3. All other knowledge is to be esteemed according to how it helps you to live a holier and
more useful life. There are many things which are unimportant in your particular walk of
life.
4. If some men were more diligent in rooting out their faults and correcting their defects,
they would be much better off than they now are, with their learned discussions about many
things.
5. It is better to be great than merely to be considered great. You will be great if you learn
My words and act on them in your daily life. If you merely talk about a holy life, you may
impress men, but I know you for what you area failure forever.
THINK:

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Some people value education for itself. They see in it man's greatest achievement. They are
mistaken. Knowledge is of no value unless it makes me a better man. It should broaden my
view of life, bring me a deeper understanding of people and things, and make me better
prepared to receive God's graces. If education makes me more self-centered and proud, if it
makes me despise others, it is bad for me. True education should help me live a virtuous
life by helping me appreciate God's wonderful creation.
PRAY:

Holy Spirit, my God, inspire me with a love for good and with a healthy knowledge. Show
me how to live what I learn, as far as that is possible in my daily life. It is better to live your
words than to preach them eloquently or teach them beautifully. The man who can quote
line after line of Holy Scripture, is not as great in Your eyes as the one who puts those lines
into daily practice. Show me ever more clearly how completely I belong to You. Let no
other knowledge ever obscure this first and highest knowledge. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 75
Shifting Moods and Feelings
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not become discouraged because your interior dispositions change so easily.
At one moment you are filled with a burning desire to serve Me, and a short while later you
feel alone and uninterested. Do not be surprised nor saddened by this instability within you.
By this process your soul is purified of selfishness in serving Me. In spite of your changing
moods and feelings, you can still prove your loyalty to Me. Simply refuse to abandon the
intentions and resolutions which you made previously. Even My saints experienced such
changes, but they were determined to please Me regardless of feelings or moods.
2. Your feeling of devotion is a gift from Me for the present moment. After you make a
good resolution, I may take away this feeling so that you may prove your sincerity or
discover your insincerity. It is easy to make high resolves and great promises. Everybody
does this in moments of devout sentiments or emotions. Too often, however, good
resolutions vanish with one's changing feelings or moods.
3. I want you to live an intelligent life. I give you grace to understand what is better and to
desire it. Then I offer you strength and opportunity to follow what is intelligent. If you still
go after the better thing when your good feelings have vanished, you prove yourself truly
noble, unselfish with Me, and worthy of My friendship and glory in Heaven.
THINK:

No man is ready to see God face to face in Heaven until he has proved himself ready. He
must be purified of blind self-interest. As gold is purified in the burning crucible, so too, is it
with me. I cannot be sure of my own sincerity until it has been purified by the various
occurrences of daily life. By the way in which I take my successes and failures, my
moments of satisfaction and my moments of want, I will see what I really am, or need to be.
~ 74 ~
When my will accepts and chooses what God's holy Will sends, only then will I be as great
as I was meant to be. To arrive at this, I must conquer my changing moods and feelings by
intelligent activity.
PRAY:
In light or darkness, sorrow or joy, let me turn to You, my God, and let me prove that I
really am what You want me to be. My words of gratitude, loyalty, and love must shine out
in action. Talk is cheap until it is backed up by the gold of action. My moods will change,
and my feelings will vary throughout the day, but my will desires to follow your holy Will
in each task and occupation. Grant me strength to prove my real worth by action. Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 76
Spiritual Consolation and Desolation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when I give you Spiritual consolation, accept it gratefully. Remember always
that is a free gift, not due to any merits Of Yours. Dismiss all self-satisfaction and pride
from your heart. I am the source Of all that you enjoy- This realization will give you a
healthy humility when I grant you some special favor. Beware of vanity. Abandon all
foolish ideas of your own value and abilities. Remember, this hour of Consolation Will Pass
away, and a time of trial will follow.
2. When consolation is taken from you, do not become sluggish and disinterested in your
usual tasks and occupations. Keep up your prayers and good works. Humbly accept my Will
and patiently go on with your daily activities. The grace of consolation and enthusiasm will
return in due time.
3. These interior changes from consolation to desolation, from joy to sadness, from light to
darkness, are not an unusual experience. All of My faithful followers have passed through
them. By their steadiness of purpose they proved that they really loved Me more than they
loved My gifts.
4. Keep your eyes on Me, whether you are in joy or sadness, whether matters are moving
along smoothly or roughly. Whether your heart is filled with doubts or with joyful
confidence in Me, see that you follow My words in your daily occupations. Then will your
daily life be a steady progress toward the home of peace and eternal happiness.
THINK:
God gives every man the chance to know and improve his character. Many a person did not
know his limitations and faults until he met successes and failures. That is why each one has
his ups and downs, moments of satisfaction and moments of trial. The true man of God
tries to live a life based on intelligent principles. He does not act on emotion or impulse
unless the action makes sense.
PRAY:
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Lord, in sorrow or joy, success or failure, I want to live my life intelligently according to
Your law. The sorrows and joys of earth are all too short. Hence they should not rule my
actions in any sinful way. I am living for Heaven's eternal happiness. Let me not lose that
because of any passing hardship or good thing on earth. Lead me through whatever joys or
sorrows You want. Only grant me the favor of finally arriving at the perfect life of Heaven.
Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 77
Progress in Time of Desolation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, progress in the spiritual life does not consist in having a great deal of interior
joy and consolation. It consists in being humble, patient, and free from self-pity when things
go wrong. Faithfully go on with your affairs, and do not become careless in your prayers and
good works when you no longer find pleasure in them. Continue doing your best in your
daily duties in spite of any disinterest, anxiety, or even disgust.
2. Some people grow impatient and careless in serving Me when things do not go as they
desire. It is not always in a man's power to choose what he wants in his earthly life. In spite
of all your plans and precautions, you cannot avoid all disappointments. Even the mistakes
and sins of others, which make your life harder, are permitted for a good reason.
3. I have a plan for you, by which you may become truly great. I send you what is best for
you. If you follow My Will, you will have My peace on earth and My joy in Heaven. If you
rebel, you will hurt yourself and probably some of the people in your life. I owe you
nothing. You owe Me absolutely everything. Whether you receive much or little, you are
always in debt to Me for all things.
THINK:
Many people judge their closeness to God by their feelings. If they feel devout, they believe
they are pleasing Him, and if they feel dejected and gloomy, they think that He has
abandoned them. These standards are false and deceitful. I may be proving my best love for
God when I least feel like pleasing Him. As long as I fulfill what He expects of me, I do
love Him, no matter how I feel. Jesus Himself said- If you love Me, you will keep My
commandments. There is the test of true goodness and holiness. As long as I am following
His holy Will, I am following God's wonderful plan for my salvation and the salvation of
those with whom I deal. At times feelings may help me to serve God with more enthusiasm,
but it is my will that really shows how much I am worth in His eyes. In time of desolation, I
should cling to my resolutions and go on with my religious practices as I did when I enjoyed
doing these things. That is the way of intelligent love, the way in which God wants to be
loved.
PRAY:

~ 76 ~
Dear Lord, make me the kind of follower You desire me to be-an intelligent follower. No
feelings nor moods should determine how I am to serve You this day, I ought to do my best
to see Your holy Will and to follow it, without letting my feelings rule my intelligence or
control my will. No matter how I may feel about what I must suffer, I know this: You are
always watching over me, always helping me walk toward Heaven. Even the evil which You
permit in my life, has its higher purpose. You will some day be praised for many things
which men now question. With eyes fixed on You, let me go on fulfilling Your holy Will
each day. You are my true and perfect joy, my eternal Glory, my never-fading Crown.
Amen.

TEMPTATION
CHAPTER 78
God's Words to the Desolate
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, believe in Me. Put your trust in My love and mercy. Many a time, when you
think that I am far from you, I am very close to you. When you feel as though everything is
going wrong, then it is that you can give the best proof of your faith and your loyalty to
Me.
2. You are not a failure just because things turn out differently from what you desired. Do
not judge things by your disappointment or dislike. Keep discouragement out of your heart,
no matter how hopeless matters may appear. Do your best and accept the results as My Will.
3. I am your Maker and your loving God. Your most hidden thoughts are clearly seen by
Me. Your eternal salvation is My main interest. When you feel disinterested and disgusted
with your daily activities, remember that I have good reasons for letting you feel so. If I
have taken anything away from you, you cannot rightfully complain. You cannot claim
anything as your own, not even yourself. All things are Mine. Without Me you are actually
nothing. Even when I seem to deal harshly with you, I deserve praise and obedience,
because My actions proceed from eternal wisdom, and infinite love.
What I do to you is done because I love you far more than you love yourself or anyone else.
When I send you any trouble or affliction, do not complain or become sad. Peace and
contentment will come to you as soon as it is for your best interests.
THINK:
In all things God loves me and thinks of My true happiness. Because I am short-sighted and
self-centered, I complain when things go wrong. God could prevent many a disagreeable
experience of mine. He doesn't do so for very good reasons. As I grow older and wiser, I
shall see how much I over-estimated the passing successes or comforts of earthly life.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, if I knew how very wise You are, and how much You love me, I would soon
learn to be content with Your holy Will. In my selfishness, I desired a heaven on earth as

~ 77 ~
well as after death. Now I want to accept Your Will in all things. Whether You send me
consolation or desolation, let me serve You as You deserve. I shall try my best to improve
myself in daily life. After I have done my best, I shall accept the results as Your holy Will.
Amen.

The Way of Purification

PART FOUR CONQUERING BAD HABITS
BAD HABITS are evil inclinations acquired through repeated bad acts. Unless we overcome
these habits, they will gradually become our masters. They come between Our Lord and us,
and they can cripple our good will. In order to be true followers of Christ, we must refuse to
be the slaves of our bad habits. In Him alone will we find true peace and joy.
How are we to deal with bad habits? A Kempis tells us: Habit is overcome by habit (Bk. 1,
c. 21). By working to form good habits, we will slowly replace bad ones. God's help will not
be wanting.
Just how sincere we are when we say that we love Christ, is seen in our daily effort for
perfection. God will not judge us by our failures, but rather, by our efforts. He wants us to
try, and to keep trying, to become the kind of person He wants us to be. Over-confidence
shows our pride and presumption. Discouragement in time of failure, shows selfishness.
Only a humble, determined, and persevering effort can prove genuine love for Christ.
This part deals only with the outstanding habits which keep men from a full generosity
with God. By overcoming these, a person quickly advances along the road to true holiness.
Above all, we must remember that God's help is most effective with those who keep on
trying, no matter how often they seem to fail.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 79
Generosity With God
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do your best to follow My words in your daily life. Do not depend on human
sympathy or admiration to go on living a good life. You know what is right. Do it regardless
of the pleasure or pain which it gives you. Let your faith and charity be your strength.
2. If I gave you heavenly consolation for every good deed which you perform, your life
would hardly be a proof of greatness. It would be very easy and very appealing to anyone,
even the most selfish. I want you to be a man of truth one who lives what is right and
follows what is true. See what I rightfully deserve, and try to give Me the pure unselfish
loyalty which you owe Me. Forget yourself, follow My Will, and you will achieve true
greatness the greatness of a good and holy life.
3. Anybody can be cheerful and devoted when I give him My heavenly consolation. It is a
genuine pleasure to serve Me when you enjoy My gifts of interior joy and consolation. Your
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real virtue and your true generosity with Me, are seen when I take away these holy feelings
and inspirations. Do you still want to please Me when you do not feel like doing so? Are
your faith and love strong enough to keep you close to Me when your selfish desires want to
go elsewhere?
THINK:
The true love of God is not a mere sentiment. It is an intelligent conviction that I owe Him
everything. It is a firm persuasion that He deserves the very best service which I can offer.
With this realization God offers me the strength to do what is right and good, even when my
feelings, moods, and desires, would prefer to act differently. Generosity with God means
loving His Will more than my own imperfect inclinations and desires.
PRAY:
My God and my All, I offer You my best and deepest love. You are truly my All. Without
You I would have nothing, and would be nothing. From You came all the good things in my
life. Your generosity toward me has no limits. May I never refuse to be generous with You. I
wish to embrace Your Will in all things, regardless of the selfish likes and dislikes within
me. May Your Will be ever accomplished in my life. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 80
Anger
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, anybody can get along with those who are quiet and mild-tempered. It is no
great accomplishment to associate with those whom you like, or with those who see things
your way. True greatness is proven by getting along with people who are difficult and
contrary, or with those who are thoughtless and selfish.
2. Some live at peace with themselves and with those around them. Some on the other hand,
have no peace within themselves, and they seem determined to ruin the peace of others.

3. You will find peace only if you are willing to bear patiently what you cannot remedy. He
who knows how to suffer patiently for My sake, will receive My gift of peace. He is master
of himself, a friend of Mine and an heir of Heaven.
4. If troubles come to you, do not let them disturb you. Look to Me, and at least give Me the
loyalty of being patient with My Will. If human efforts fail to bring a solution to your
troubles, it means that I want you to bear this trial. I want this for good reasons, which you
may not understand just now.
5. Above all, avoid anger when matters go against your wishes. Let no word of resentment
fall from your lips. Give a good example of faith and confidence in Me. Let your patience
shine before men.

~ 79 ~
6. Do not force others to share your troubles by making them feel your impatience, anger or
self-pity. Follow My words in these matters, and your present trouble will bring you a joy
greater than you can imagine.
THINK:
Our Lord speaks of meekness and humility as two of His special lessons to me. Meekness is
the virtue of gentleness with others, especially with those who arouse me to anger. Jesus
wants me to take this as a personal lesson from Him. Anger and impatience are often signs
of a deep pride or selfishness. I am aroused when matters do not go as I wish. The occasions
for a just anger are rare enough. Most of the time I become angry because I lack
understanding, or sympathy, or patience, or a willingness to suffer any more than I must.
How would Our Lord take those same situations? There is my Model!
PRAY:
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours. Make this petition one of my
frequent prayers. You want me to be like You. I seem to think that life would be unbearable
if I practiced meekness with certain people. Let me understand that meekness is not
weakness, but strength-the strength of virtue. You want me to practice meekness? I am
willing to try it for Your sake. Show me how to do it. Let me no longer give in to my pride
and my selfish desires by the sin of anger. When things are not going my way, let me act as
You would act if You were in my place. Make me more and more like You. O Jesus, meek
and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 81
Impatience
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, be patient with the defects and weaknesses of others. They have to put up with
your defects. If you fail so often in making yourself what you desire to be, how can you
expect to change others in a short time? You want to see others correct their faults, yet you
are not fighting half enough against your own.

2. You are strict in correcting others, but you are not as strict in the correction of yourself.
The lazy and easy-going ways of others irritate you, still, you resent it if anyone tries to
interfere with your own self-indulgence. You want others to keep the rules, but you are
aroused to anger against anyone who mentions the rules to you.
3. How seldom you judge your neighbor with the same love and understanding with which
you judge yourself. You are often disturbed by others because their faults and defects
interfere with the routine of your life. You think that you are being zealous for what is right,
but if you look honestly into your heart, you will often see self-love at the bottom of your
impatience and anger.
THINK:
~ 80 ~
At times I delude myself into thinking that I am virtuous in matters where I am actually
displeasing God! One sure proof that I love God is a patient love of others. The more I try to
help others and to be patient with their faults, defects, and shortcomings, the more will I
prove myself unselfish and generous with God. God wants me to consider Him as my
neighbor. Jesus said that I do to Him what I do to others. Does my daily treatment of others
show love of God or love of self? just as I tend to favor myself in most matters, so too
should I learn to favor my neighbor for God's sake. I find it easy to excuse myself. Let me
try to excuse the mistakes of others.
PRAY:
My Jesus, I can never be wrong when I love my neighbor and try to think well of him in
spite of his faults. True, at times I may have to be stern for his good. Yet, even then, let me
act with love in my heart. Your follower must have no hatred or impatience, but only a
sincere desire for the welfare of others. Let me never again displease You by any deliberate
intolerance or harshness toward those around me. Make me one tenth as patient with their
mistakes as You are with mine, and I will never again hurt anyone with my impatience.
Remind me often of my own faults, limitations, and defects, so that I may include myself
when I pray for sinners. I hope to prove my gratitude and love for You by my patience with
others. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 82
Fault Finding
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, learn the lesson which I taught over and over again by My life and words on
earth. I alone am great. All earthly greatness is but an image of My uncreated greatness.
Man is the work of My almighty hand. Of himself man is nothing. If, however, he follows
My words in his earthly life, he will share My happiness and glory in Heaven.
2. How can you think so much of yourself, when you were made from nothing? Why do you
think highly of yourself? You have so many faults and defects. Be humble and live as one
who admits his limitations. Do not let your actions show pride and vanity.
3. How can you find fault with others, you who are so full of faults yourself? Without My
help, you would easily fall into the same mistakes which you criticize.
4. Unless it is your duty to correct others, think more of your own faults than of other
people's faults. Work and fight against your own defects, and you will be too busy to be
annoyed by your neighbor's defects.
5. What is the best knowledge? To know Me, to look for My holy Will, and to reflect often
on how you may eliminate your faults and defects. Act on this knowledge and you will be
walking on the road to eternal life.
THINK:
~ 81 ~
No matter what talents I have, I must never forget that they belong to God. Moreover, in
spite of my talents and virtues, I also have faults and defects. Once I am honestly convinced
of my limitations and shortcomings, I will find it easier to think well of my neighbor. If my
self love blinds me to the truth about myself, it is not true self-love. It hurts me, and makes
life a little harder for those around me.
PRAY:
My Jesus, give me such a love of truth that I will never be blinded by the self-love of pride
and vanity. Let my self-love be the healthy self love of Your saints. They wanted nothing
but the best for themselves. They found the best in Your holy truth. They respected
themselves for what they were, and they never pretended to be bigger than they really were.
Their love for others came from their realization that all men are made to God's image and
are loved by Him. Give me such a love for the truth that I will follow it at all times,
regardless of my likes or dislikes, prejudices or preferences. Only an honest and unselfish
daily life can prove that I really love You, my King and Saviour. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 83
Rash Judgments
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, mind your own business, and do not set yourself up as the judge of those
around you. There is a good deal that you do not know about your neighbor. It is not easy to
judge others as they deserve. Be wise and leave all judgment to Me.
2. It is far more profitable for you to look to yourself and judge yourself. You can do a great
deal about correcting your own faults. As for the faults of others, the best you can do is to
give good example, offer a bit of advice where it will help, and say a sincere prayer for the
persons involved.
3. Your concern over your neighbor's faults, does not always arise from a virtue in you.
Some people annoy you because you are not minding your own business, or because you
have not yet learned patience and understanding.
People are not always at fault when they get on your nerves. The real fault is often in you. I
suffered many things in silence for your sake. How often do you suffer in silence for Me?
Get to work and correct your own faults. You will then be too busy to be annoyed by the
faults of others.
THINK:
How much peace of soul I could enjoy if only I could learn to mind my own business.
judging others is such a waste of precious time. I am so often wrong when I think ill of
others. If I dislike someone, I feel inclined to judge him more harshly than others. If God
were my main interest, I would never think ill of anyone, even those who really offend me.
~ 82 ~
How often I am aroused against someone because, knowingly or unknowingly, he has
opposed my pride or selfishness in some way. I should not expect everyone to see things my
way. Every man is different and each one has his own tastes and experiences. So often God
excuses those whom I condemn.
PRAY:
My Lord, I long for a ray of heavenly wisdom, so that I may not be unreasonable in my
judgments and opinions about others. You treat each person as an individual. You do not ask
me to be like others in my ways. You only want me to take the talents and circumstances in
my life, and to make the most of them. You ask us to imitate You as far as we are able,
according to the intelligence and grace which each one has. Let me not judge rashly those
who do not do things my way. I want to follow Your holy Will in all things. Though I
observe the mistakes and faults of others, I will try to refrain from any harsh judgments. If I
cannot say something kind of another, I will keep silent. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 84
Uncharitable Criticism
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not believe everything which you hear about others. Men often judge their
fellow-men with prejudice. Their judgments frequently depend on their temperaments,
tastes, moods, ambitions, and self-love. You will usually be right if You refuse to judge
another by the criticisms which you hear about him. Many a man is condemned when he is
absent and cannot defend himself.
2. People feel superior when they criticize others. They are apt to exaggerate the faults of
their neighbor. If you show interest in their criticisms, they may be encouraged to continue
their uncharitable talk. Show disapproval of all back-biting, at least by your silence. Try to
change the subject as tactfully as possible.

3. Everyone makes mistakes. The human critic may know how to do something better than
this man or that man. He may not, however, know the motives or intentions of the one he
criticizes. He has no right to reveal another's hidden faults except to protect the innocent, or
to help the guilty person himself.
4. Remember, too, that you may well be the object of the speaker's criticism when you are
absent. Speak now of the criticized one as you would want others to speak of you when you
are criticized.
THINK:
One of the worst faults of human nature is that of condemning others. That is why Jesus
taught His doctrine of charity. As I judge others, so will I be judged by God. If I condemn
others, I too will be condemned. A true follower of Christ is more ready to think well of
others than to think evil.
~ 83 ~
PRAY:
My Jesus, King of my heart, give me some of Your kindness, so that I may always think
well of my neighbor. I do not know everything about him. Perhaps he cannot help doing
what I disapprove. There may be a hundred excusing causes for what he does. Let me leave
all judgment in Your hands and try to overlook what others do. Teach me to mind my own
business and to pray for those who seem to need it. Never will I forget Your great Mercy to
me, a sinner. As You forgive me, so may I always forgive those who offend me. Never will I
reveal the hidden faults of another, except where I am obliged to protect those who are
innocent or for the public good. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 85
The Folly of Worldliness
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, beware of the spirit of worldliness. It blinds one to the truth and makes him
think more of this earthly life than of the world to come. It so deceives a man that he is more
ready to work for death than for life. He becomes more interested in appearing great than in
actually being great by living a good life.
2. If worldly men took time to think of their earthly life, they would quickly realize how
foolish they are for loving it too much. In this world there is so much opposition, pain,
sorrow, disappointment, and disillusionment. Rarely are earthly ambitions fully satisfied.
The worldly man often finds bitterness where he had expected sweetness. In the things and
people on whom he relied, he sees so many limitations and short-comings. Sooner or later,
he will have to admit that the happiness, peace, and satisfaction for which he hoped, are not
of this world.
3. Do not let appearances fool you. The worldly man is doomed to disappointment, but My
followers will never be disappointed as long as they are devoted to My Will. My promises
are not empty words, nor will they deceive those who trust in Me. What I have promised, I
will give. What I have said, I will do, if only you will continue to be loyal to the end.
THINK:

The man who follows his feelings and refuses to think, keeps chasing after permanent
happiness and peace, where he can never find them. He goes on hoping that after the present
failures and disappointment, he will find at last what he has not found thus far. Little does he
dream that only in the friendship and love of God can he find what he desires.
PRAY:
My God, all-loving and all-wise, may I find bitterness in any person or thing which holds
me back from You. Take away from me whatever leads me into sin. Grant that I may never
be enslaved by my feelings, but rather give me an interior vision which will detect sin in all
its disguises. Bestow on me courage to resist evil, patience to go on doing what is right, and
~ 84 ~
endurance to continue doing my best. I long for the interior joy of Your friendship and
company. Instead of foolish earthly attachments, I want a strong love for Your wise and
holy Will in all things. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 86
Needless Curiosity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, uncontrolled curiosity draws your attention away from your duties and brings
needless distractions. It can waste a good deal of time and energy which you might use to
greater good. It leads to pointless visiting and useless conversations. It fills the mind with so
many empty distractions, which prevent you from freely receiving the holy thoughts and
good desires which I send you throughout the day.
2. You would have great peace if you were less curious about things which do not concern
you. One who is too interested in the sayings and doings of others, becomes forgetful of the
glorious ideal which I present to him-the ideal of pleasing Me in all things and thereby
gaining eternal life.
3. Many things occur during the day which do not help you become a better person. What
does it matter whether this one has a new garment or that one has failed in some personal
project? Think of what concerns you, and of any good which you can do to others. Keep
your heavenly goal before your mind, as far as your daily occupations will permit. Avoid
idle words and useless activities.
THINK:
A curious nature, intelligently controlled, has often led men to make great discoveries. Yet,
unless curiosity is controlled, it can hurt me forever. My highest interest must be to follow
God's law, and so to enter into eternal life. The less I burden my. mind with unnecessary
interests, the more will I understand and appreciate my supernatural purpose on earth. Too
many worldly interests make me forget or disregard my heavenly goal. Many sins of
omission and carelessness spring from uncontrolled curiosity.
PRAY:
Jesus, my King, Your enemies are whoever and whatever draws me farther from You and
closer to sin. Therefore uncontrolled curiosity is Your enemy. If I am loyal to You, I will
fight this enemy of Yours. In so doing, I will also be fighting for my own eternal happiness.
Lord, give me light to recognize this enemy and to oppose it in my daily life. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 87
Curiosity of the Eyes

~ 85 ~
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, many a sinful thought and desire was brought into your soul by your curiosity
to see things. This fault draws you toward the dangerous attractions of the world. The
memory stores up pictures of what is seen, and in a sense makes these pictures a part of you.
2. By a reasonable control of your eyes, you will find it easier to keep in touch with Me
throughout the day. External temptations will not reach your imagination so easily. There
will be fewer sinful thoughts and desires to disturb your peace of soul. Many a temptation
comes because of your failure to control your eyes.
3. This lack of control is not always due to carelessness or laziness. Sometimes you look at
an object to get at least a partial enjoyment of what is forbidden. This is simply another
compromise in which you try to serve two masters-your unreasoning natural desires and Me.
4. Sometimes you will tire of My company because you are not enjoying what I command.
At such times you will seek to escape from yourself by a freer use of your eyes. I do not
begrudge a reasonable need to freshen your spirit with a change of scenery, a new outlook,
or new ideas. I merely warn you against too free and easy a use of your eyes.
5. Often what you really need is to renew your good intentions and your motives for serving
Me. What is the good of continually seeing new sights? They distract you from your
supernatural goal. Desire only enough change to improve the quality of your good works
and prayers.
6. Worldly people continually run away from themselves by distracting themselves and
feeding their curiosity. A man of God seeks to keep before him the glorious purpose of his
daily life -to gain Heaven. He controls his curiosity because it decreases his self-control and
disturbs his contact with Me.

THINK:
There is nothing new under the sun. By controlling my eyes I will not be missing much. By
looking into my own heart I can see the emotions, tendencies, and desires which move all
humans. If I saw everything which is happening at this moment, how much would I learn to
improve my life? It is far better to live with God, attend to my affairs and not be too
concerned with anything else. Let men of the world bother about passing trivialities, if they
so desire. I was born for higher things, things which earn an unending glory and eternal
happiness.
PRAY:
My Jesus, in You I have the most interesting, most attractive, wisest, and best of friends.
How can I turn from You to pay unnecessary attention to poor limited humans like myself? I
sometimes tire of You because I do not know You well enough. If I took the time to
contemplate Your life on earth, I would know You and appreciate You much better than I
do. I would then find it easier to keep my eyes away from unimportant human events. Help
me, my Jesus, to concentrate on You in my daily life, as far as my obligations will allow.
Amen.

~ 86 ~
CONQUERING BAD HABITS
CHAPTER 88
Curiosity about People
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, if you will only leave others alone, they will usually leave you alone. Do not
bother about other people's affairs. Look to your own business. Be sure that you are doing
all that you should. Are you doing your best to please Me? If so, you are the kind of person
you should be, whether or not your neighbor approves of you.
2. It is a human weakness to be curious about the doings of others. You cannot be one
hundred ,percent loyal to Me if you have not overcome this weakness. What does it matter
to you what others are doing, unless it is your duty to know? Where it is no concern of
yours, go about your own business for My sake. You will not have to answer for the doings
of others. You will only have to account for your own thoughts, words, deeds, and
omissions.
3. I know each individual. No action, word, thought, or desire is hidden from Me. Your
deepest wish and your most hidden intention are clearly seen and perfectly understood by
Me. Leave everything in My hands. Make your intention each morning. Try to renew it
during the day. Then go about your affairs in peace.
4. Do not pay too much attention to what others do or say unless it is your duty to do so. The
unkind thoughts and unjust doings of a man will stand against him on the last day. Then will
the truth shine forth, and everyone will be seen and known for what he really is.
THINK:

Minding one's own business is actually a positive good. If others need my help in any way, I
ought to try to give what aid I can. As for thinking too much about their personal lives, it is a
mistake. By my prayers, good example, and good will, I can offer my best assistance.
Certainly I need never talk about the faults of others unless it be to someone who is
concerned in the matter. Even then, if no good will come of my efforts, why make them? I
have to live my life, and others must live theirs. After I have done what little I can to help
them, I should enjoy peace in my own heart.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, my life is a gift from You. It is a matter which concerns You and me. True, I
owe love and help to relatives, friends, and fellow-men, as far as I am able. Yet, in many
things my life is something which does not concern others. Nor need I be over-concerned
about others. Let me never be a victim of idle curiosity. Prevent me from talking about my
neighbor, and grant that I may be slow to believe the evil that is said of him. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

~ 87 ~
CHAPTER 89
Curiosity about One's Salvation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, a certain person was once anxious and worried about his salvation. He threw
himself down before the altar and moaned: Oh, if only I were sure that I will be saved! At
that very moment I placed the answer in his heart. If you knew this, what would you do?
Go forth and do all the good which you would then do, and you will have no reason for fear
now.
He saw at once that I had answered his question. He went out joyfully and led a good and
useful life. He no longer worried about his salvation, but left his future in My hands. He was
interested in one thing alone: How does God want me to act in what I am now doing? He
who previously was selfishly afraid, was now generously brave for Me. You do the same,
and you will Live forever. What you will be after death, depends on what you are trying to
be in this earthly life.
THINK:
If I do my best each day, I shall be living for Heaven. As long as I am trying to learn what
God expects of me, and am doing my best to follow His Will, I need not fear bell.

PRAY:
Lord, I hope to please You in all that I think, do, or say. On You I depend for the grace to do
this. As for my salvation, I leave it entirely in Your loving hands. If I do my best for Your
sake, I know that You will not forget me. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 90
Love of Novelty and Variety
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, curiosity is a good thing as long as it is controlled by reason and grace. In
many things, curiosity does more harm than good. Some people have such a desire to be
considered learned and intelligent that they try to answer all difficulties and solve all
problems.
2. No man knows all the answers. In fact, there are times when it is better not to know the
answer. just go along, doing your daily tasks and fulfilling your obligations. Learn whatever
may help you to live a more useful and more virtuous life. Such knowledge will help you
find My peace.
3. At times curiosity can interfere with your best interests. In dealing with My teachings,
take them with simplicity and humility, instead of trying to understand the why and
wherefore of every statement. At times it is necessary to accept My teachings simply
~ 88 ~
because they are Mine. Some truths are too deep for your limited human intelligence. If you
could have learned them by yourself, I would not have come down to reveal them to you.
You must accept them with faith, humility, and simplicity. Am I not the Author of all truth?
4. Control your curiosity. It is better to ignore some things as though they did not exist. You
will sometimes find it best to be deaf, dumb, and blind for My sake. You are not ready yet to
learn the full truth. For the present fill your mind and heart with those thoughts and desires
which will help you gain eternal life. Direct your interest toward things which will make you
more honest and content in your daily duties.
5. Remember, the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor is the ear satisfied with hearing. There
is more to your daily life than what you see and hear. You are surrounded by an invisible
world, the world of spiritual reality. It will go on existing after this earthly world has passed
away.
6. Try to learn as much as you can about the truths which I have revealed. Beware, however,
of proud curiosity, which presumes to understand all things or seeks to impress others with
knowledge.
THINK:
Curiosity can lead to greater knowledge, but it can also be harmful. In relation to God's
words, man's first concern must be to believe them because God inspired them. If one is
more interested in studying God's words than in living them, then his curiosity is not a good
thing. As long as one is doing his best to obey Christ's Church, he can safely study God's
holy revelation in order to understand it better.
PRAY:

Holy Ghost, divine Inspirer of human hearts, grant me the grace to study Your words
humbly and to obey them unselfishly. Let me understand ever more deeply how I may apply
Your Wisdom in my daily life. The more faithfully I follow Your holy Will, the more safely
and profitably will I be able to understand what You have revealed to the world through
Holy Scripture and Christ's Church. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 91
Vain Reliance on Human Help
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not put too much trust in human friendships and human remedies. Things
human can bring only a limited help in your daily needs. If you depend on them too much,
you are doomed to bitter disappointments. Above all the persons and things that satisfy your
needs each day, put your main trust in Me.
2. People who are for you today, may be against you tomorrow. Those who please you now,
may displease you later on. The things that satisfy you at present, may dissatisfy you in the
~ 89 ~
future. Do not be so foolish as to rely too much on these changeful creatures.
3. I alone know and want what is truly best for you at all times. Only I am unchanging and
all-satisfying. Rely first on Me and My holy Will. Depend on everything else only as far as I
permit.
4. Too few have the trust that I demand. Many lack the confidence which I desire of them. If
you will put your daily life entirely in My hands, I shall do what is best for you.
5. Heaven's perfect life is the only lasting good for you. Live your earthly life according to
My law, and I shall not fail you in your really important needs.

THINK:
May I never depend too much on human beings. They can help me only up to a point.
People are human like me. There is a limit to their wisdom, their understanding, and their
love. Only in God will I find perfect understanding, all-satisfying Love, and infinite
Wisdom. If I can make God the First One in my daily life, there will be a great change in my
outlook, my goodness, and in everything around me. No longer will people have power to
rob me of my interior peace. I will not need human company as much as before. I will enjoy
a new freedom from the human distractions which at present worry or frighten me.
PRAY:
In all my needs, dear Jesus, let me not depend only on human help. You must be the center
of my existence. All joy, all love, all ambition, all success -everything that I have ever
known and loved-all of these things are tiny images of the grand, all-satisfying Glory that
You are. When I finally see You face to face in Heaven, my God, I will then realize how
very incomplete is the joy and happiness of this earthly life. Let me live for You and walk
toward Heaven each moment of my life. I want to walk among men with eyes fixed on You.
Grant that I may never again depend too much on any human being. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 92
Detractors and Human Opinions
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not care too much about who likes you and who does not. Why waste time
worrying about who is for you and who is against you? just do your best to please Me, and I
will be on your side. I will stand by you as long as you hate sin and avoid it in your daily
life. When I am with you, what does it matter who else is against you?
2. Never be disturbed when others say things that hurt. If you thought more often of your
sins, you might even agree with some of their remarks.
3. Speak often with Me, and men will impress you less than they do now. The more you
advance in prayer, the less will you be tempted to talk against others. What they say or do
against you, will seem so trivial when you have learned to join Me through prayer and

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recollection.
4. I know what you really are. What men say about you, will not change what you are nor
what I think of you.
5. Just do your best for My sake, and do not worry what anyone may think or say of you. Do
not fear the judgments of those around you. Live for Me by trying to please Me in your daily
life. Then will you enjoy My peace.
THINK:
In God alone will I find true peace and glory. I must not desire to please men, nor fear to
displease them, when there is question of doing what is right. Only God's judgment is
important. All men will agree with God's opinion of me at the Last judgment.
PRAY:
My God, how foolish it is to be concerned about human opinions and judgments! Only You
are the Fountain of Truth. As long as I am pleasing You, I need never worry about what
humans think. I will do my best to live a holy life, trying to be kind, considerate, helpful,
unselfish, and obedient to Your commandments. Never again will I do anything simply to
gain human favor. May I never seek the approval and admiration of men! All for You, my
Jesus! Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 93
Human Friendship
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, how many friends stand by you when you need them? As soon as a sacrifice is
required, so many of these so-called friends are busy with other matters.
2. No matter how dear any human may be to you, you still live your daily life pretty much
alone. In the middle of the night, or in moments of fatigue, or at times when others are
absorbed in their own interests, you get a momentary awareness of being alone, of being
unnoticed or forgotten by others.
3. Do not overestimate earthly friendship. Sooner or later you must leave your friends, or
they must leave you. If you depend too much on any human companion, you will have to
bear a painful separation later.
4. Human friendship needs My blessing. Try to help your friends come nearer to Me by your
good example. Look forward to the purification and continuation of your earthly friendships
in Heaven. With My blessing, earthly friendships can be a lasting thing. In Heaven they will
bring a new kind of joy to you and your friends.
THINK:

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All true friendship must be based on virtue and loyalty to Christ. Unless I am helping my
friends in some way to live a better life, I am not a true friend. So, too, people who are not
helping me become a better person, are not real friends of mine, but useless acquaintances.
Anyone who brings me closer to sin by his words or ways, is an enemy in spite of any good
intentions which he may profess.
PRAY:
My Jesus, Divine Friend of my life, I long to live a truthful life, a life which is not ruled by
blind feelings or unthinking emotions. My earthly friends are human like me, with faults,
limitations, and shortcomings. Never should any human being come between You and me.
In You I have the perfect Friend. All others must take second place. None of them
understands me as perfectly as You do. None of them loves me as fully as You. Who can see
and help my real needs as well as You? I want to appreciate You for the wonderful Friend
You are. In You alone will I find the perfection of friendship. Let me never prefer any other
friend to You. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 94
The Friendship of God's Saints
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, if you want the sincerest friendship, you will find it in My saints. My Church
has declared them saints because they were heroically loyal to Me during their life on earth.
They are My favorites because they made Me their Favorite. They chose to love Me more
than their own life. They served Me with all the unselfishness and generosity at their
command. They gave Me the best service in their power, and they denied Me nothing.
Whether I sent them labor, hardship, failures, disappointments, or sickness, they accepted all
from My hand with complete willingness.
2. Even after the saints have left this world, they are still interested in seeing Me glorified by
men. Their greatest desire for you is that you may some day join them in the perfect life and
joy of Heaven. You honor Me when you honor My friends. You will also be acting wisely if
you request them to join you in asking for My help. What you may not deserve by yourself
alone, you may receive when the saints intercede for you. They are far more deserving of
My favors than their selfish fellowmen.
3. Honor My saints not only for the help which they can obtain for you, but also because
they are the greatest heroes of all mankind. The greater the cause for which a man lives, the
greater the man. The saints lived for My glory, for the praise of My goodness and the
following of My truth. Theirs was the highest, most noble, and least selfish of all causes.
4. They labored for Me alone, and loved Me more than any personal advantage or profit. As
far as they could, they tried to do their work, hidden from the eyes of their fellowmen. They
were working for Me, and they desired no human recognition. They realized that I deserved

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the best that was in them. In their noble generosity, they could not offer Me less.
THINK:
In God's saints I will find sincere friends and strong helpers before God. Their prayers and
friendship will bring me many extra helps from God's hand, helps which they earned by
their glorious generosity with God. In their love for God I can see a wonderful example of
continual self-giving to Him Who deserves all that I can offer.
PRAY:
My God, I hope to cultivate a better friendship, with Your saints. They have a genuine
interest in my welfare, and they sincerely desire to help me. O holy saints of God, I honor
you for the greatness which you achieved by your grand love for God. Help me in my daily
needs, but especially in loving God's holy Will in all things. Amen.

CONQUERING BAD HABITS

CHAPTER 95
Devotion to Mary
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when My mother received the praises of her cousin Elizabeth, she immediately
directed those praises to God, the Source of all good. Amid this admirable outburst of
humility, the Holy Spirit inspired her to prophesy her future place in the hearts of My loyal
followers. Under divine influence she declared: Henceforth all generations shall call me
blessed! In honoring My mother, you join the countless multitudes who have sung her
praises through the centuries.
2. At the very dawn of creation her greatness was foretold. Satan was told that his head
would be crushed by the heel of a woman. Under God, My Immaculate Mother is the most
feared enemy of hell.
3. Her greatest praise was expressed even before she became My mother. The Angel Gabriel
was instructed to address her as full of grace, a title reserved for her alone. The better you
understand this holy title, the greater will be your admiration for My mother.
4. To be full of grace one must have an all-consuming love for God, a self-dedication so
complete that all forms of self-interest are subdued by the pure desire to please God at every
moment. Even before she became My Virgin-Mother, she had already achieved this exalted
virtue. She was already full of grace.

5. Her response to the angel's message was a perfect summary of her entire life: Behold the
handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word! She lived with the highest
purpose possible to man or angel-to devote herself unreservedly to God's holy Will. Many
have formed this high resolve, but only My mother has fulfilled it to perfection. Only she is
full of grace.

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6. Not only does My mother deserve your admiration and praise, but she also deserves your
purest love. In becoming My mother, she also became yours in a very true sense. As your
earthly parents cooperated with God in giving you your earthly life, so too did My mother
cooperate with God in bringing supernatural life to your soul.
7. She knows and loves you as a true mother, indeed, as the most perfect of all mothers. Her
prayers for your needs are frequent and powerful. As she obtained help for the bridal couple
of Cana without their knowledge, so does she often obtain help for you in many needs of
which you are unaware. As I could not refuse her request in Cana, so too can I not refuse her
prayers in Heaven. Her glorious merits bring you many a favor of which you are unworthy,
Be a loyal child of your heavenly mother, and your salvation is assured.
THINK:
Mary's highest merit was her self-dedication to God. When Jesus heard a woman praising
His mother for having such a wonderful Son, He pointed to His mother's greatest glory:
Blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it. She who was full of grace lived
these words to perfection. Therefore she deserves my highest praise. And yet, she deserves
something more. As my heavenly mother she has given me her love and attention since my
first moment of life. Can I refuse to love her in return? My love will be proved by my
obedience to the only command of hers which Holy Scripture records: Do whatever He
(Jesus) tells you. If I am loyal to this command, Heaven is surely mine.
PRAY:
O Virgin-Mother of Jesus, I cannot ask you to be my mother, since you are already that. I
will, however, ask you to help me become a grateful and loving child of yours. My devotion
to you is not half so generous as your devotion to me. I shall never tire of singing your
praises. Your pure love for me has often gone unnoticed and un-repaid. I desire now to
make reparation for such deep ingratitude. You are indeed the perfect mother. You have
given me the advice and the example which will lead me to the eternal success of Heaven.
Moreover, you can obtain for me the light and strength to walk along your holy way. Help
me abandon my daily faults and follow you at last along the way to God. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 96
Intelligent Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, the more you study My law, the more you will see that what I command is the
only intelligent thing to do. I am simply asking that you value persons and things according
to their true worth. You offend Me only when you have placed the wrong value on the
people and things in your daily life.
2. You would not want counterfeit money in place of real money. Neither should you be
satisfied with false values in anything else. If you learn this holy honesty, you will never
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prefer any human being to Me.
3. When you sin for the sake of any creature, you are putting more value into it than it
deserves. You are choosing a passing satisfaction in preference to the lasting joy which I
want you to have.
4. If you value things as they deserve, your first interest will be My Will in all things. At
present you often deceive yourself. You think that you are acting out of charity, but you are
really acting for selfish reasons.
THINK:
An honest life is the only life which will bring no regrets. God desires to help me live such a
life. He wants me to esteem people and things for what they are. Such a standard will help
me to avoid many mistakes. It will teach me the true meaning of charity and goodness. My
affections will be broadened and purified. I will stop judging people and things with
prejudice. Selfish motives will become weaker and rarer within me. I shall begin to be the
person I have always wanted or pretended to be. I will be a man of truth, an honest man, a
man of God.

PRAY:
My God, give me the grace to love people and things according to their merits and worth.
Do not let my heart control my head. Let my intelligence guide the emotions within me, and
let my will control my unreasoning desires. Grant that I may love what is good and do what
is right, even when I feel like acting differently. I will not take it too hard when earthly
friends fail me. You, the Best and Greatest of friends, are always with me. As long as I have
Your love, and am on the road to Heaven, I have solid reasons for peace and joy. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 97
Man's Interior Enemies
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, nothing gives you more trouble than your unthinking self. Until you have
acquired control of your animal desires, your proud ambitions, and your foolish envy of
others, you cannot enjoy My heavenly peace.
2. If your heart is not at rest, it is because you are still controlled by this blind self within
you. Your heart is not set on Me, but on the comforts, enjoyments, achievements, or security
of this life. Because you are so self-centered and full of worldly desires, you are tempted to
sin.
3. Whatever is not from Me and leads not to Me, is bad for you. Some of the saints often
asked themselves the question: How does this help me for eternal life? That is a very
valuable question. If you live by it, there will be less waste of time and more good work in
your daily life.

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4. Your feelings and desires are good only as long as you keep them under control. Once
they become your masters, they will turn your life into a slavery. You will have no peace
within yourself, and you will even destroy the peace of those around you. You will become
jealous, envious, ambitious, and difficult to live with. You will often omit what you ought to
do, and do things which you should not do. You will become too interested in the doings of
others, and not interested enough in what you should be doing.
5. You can make a better world by following Me. Begin with yourself. Learn My truth and
let it govern your passions, your every desire, all your fears, and each word and deed in your
daily life.
THINK:
The man who has not learned to mortify himself, has within himself the enemies of peace
and goodness. He is easily aroused against those who thwart or oppose his selfish desires.
He sees the obligations of others, but he remains blind to his own. He blames little things in
others, while he excuses bigger faults in himself.

PRAY:

My Jesus, You conquered the world of passion and selfishness. By Your life of
mortification, prayer, work, and loyalty to the Father's Will, You merited for me all the
necessary graces to overcome self in my daily activities. I wish to begin a mortified life. I
want to practice self-control as often as I can, even when there is no question of sin. By my
mortification, I hope to obtain greater graces to fight future temptations. If I am ready to
suffer for You now, I will be prepared to fight for You then. I hope in You for the strength
to begin. You deserve this of me. Let me forget self and think only of Your all-perfect
goodness. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 98
Attachments
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as you go through life, your heart tends to attach itself to many things. If these
attachments become too strong, they will make you their slave. You will eventually sin
because of them. True, your natural likes and dislikes are not decided by an act of the will.
You can, however, control them with the help of prayer, mortification, and My Sacraments.
2. Purify your love for all earthly things, by using them wisely according to My law. Only
with a pure love such as this can you escape the slavery of earthly attachments. You will
never again be too troubled at the possibility of losing something, be it a friend or a
cherished possession. Nor is this a form of misguided selfishness. You are simply choosing
first things first-God before creatures.
3. Refuse to be a slave of anything on earth. Love Me and My Will more than all else. You
are still disturbed and displeased when matters go against your wishes and desires. You still
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fail to understand the passing nature of earthly things.
4. Let no human being nor earthly satisfaction mean so much to you that you would sin for
them. If you love anything that much, your love is misguided and foolish. You are preferring
a reflection of God to God Himself.
5. If you want true joy and real greatness, be attached to Me above every person and thing in
your earthly life. Let your desires and love be guided by My wisdom, and they will never
lead you into folly.
THINK:
My true welfare lies not in possessing or enjoying many things on earth, but rather in using
what I have wisely and sinlessly, with the intention of pleasing God. Riches, honor, praise,
admiration, power and superiority over others, or whatever else may attract me on earth, all
of these things must one day pass away. Why be too interested in what I am sure to lose?
Unless I use them as God desires, I will use them the wrong way, and they will draw me
away from Him. The more I come to know God, the more will I desire to lessen my
attachments on earth. I will try to be more aware of Him throughout the day. My real needs
are few. True, human nature objects to being deprived of what it likes. Still, I ought to get
rid of whatever does not really improve my life.
PRAY:
My God, You are the perfect Good. Whatever attracts me in any human person or in
anything, is but a tiny reflection of Your infinite perfection. How can I be so foolish as to
prefer a reflection to the reality? Yet, that is what I do when I displease You by sin. Help me
to face this truth. From now on I desire to live for You by a proper use of things in my daily
life. Whatever leads me into sin must go. Let me love and choose only what will help me
please You. You know what is best. Show me Your Will and give me strength to follow it.
Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 99
Conflicting Emotions
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when you have received the grace to think My way, you will never again fall
into sadness. One can be sad only when he is deprived of something which he desires very
much. Most human sadness is born of worldly attachments.
2. If you want Me above all else, you will not be sad at being deprived of anything on earth.
The more you come to realize what I am, the more you will want Me above every created
thing. Only sin can make My followers sad. Yet even then, they soon turn to Me and
abandon their sadness.
3. The sadness of the worldly man comes from his self-love. He is sad because he does not
have what he wishes. He is often moved to anger at those who hinder him from getting what
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he wants. He becomes jealous of what he loves, and envies those who have what he desires.
4. Follow Me and live in peace. Do not be troubled if something is said against you. It is not
the first time, nor will it be the last. In fact, more is said behind your back than what you
hear. Do not lose any sleep over the judgments of men. Do your best for Me, and seek My
approval. If you are pleasing Me, you have good reason to be glad.
5. Do not become over-anxious or worried about anything. I do not expect the impossible
from you. Why should you demand of yourself more than I demand? Pride makes you desire
perfection as quickly as possible. The humble man seeks perfection according to his
strength. He does his best and renews his efforts when he has failed. He does not deceive
himself. He really tries his best. When, however, he fails, he is neither surprised nor excited.
He is genuinely sorry, looks for guidance, and begins again.

THINK:
Sadness, fears, and worries will always rob me of peace until I have learned to embrace
God's Will in all things. When I have done this, I will no longer be troubled, whether I live
here or there, whether I work with this person or that one. I will see God's hand guiding me
through the trials of daily life, teaching me patience, love, and sorrow for my sins. I need
only do my best. That is enough for God. It ought to be enough for me, too.
PRAY:
My Jesus, a true follower of Yours knows how to keep his eyes fixed on You in spite of
conflicting emotions. You love me. I know that You are ever near to help me live this daily
life of mine. All that You ask is that I keep trying and be content with the results which You
send me. The final goal is Heaven's eternal glory. If I believe all this, have I any true reason
for worries, fears, or sadness? How can I be swayed by my shifting emotions when I am
living for the grandest success of all? Help me to remember my goal as I go along in my
daily activities. I do not want to sin for anything on earth. You deserve my very best. Lead
me along and help me hate all sin. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 100
Self-Conquest
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, you will never face a greater battle than the battle against your unreasoning
feelings and desires. These are your passions. They are your most stubborn and most
dangerous enemies. This blind and lower self within you is so close to you that it is almost
invisible to you. It tries to make you think and feel its way instead of My way. Treat this
lower self as an enemy. Acts of mortification will help you to advance in self-control. I will
strengthen your efforts with My grace.
2. The fight for self-control is harder than bodily or mental labors. Your lower self is more
determined in pursuing what it wants than your will is, in seeking Me. Self will start with a
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mild desire and gradually develop a strong habit. You must fight what is bad from the very
first time it appears in your life. If you cannot overcome evil when it is small and weak, how
will you ever conquer it after it has become a strong habit?
3. True peace of soul is found not in surrendering, but in controlling your desires and
appetites. Control means using things according to My laws of reason and revelation. Self-
control requires determination and even violence to self in opposing what is wrong. Do this
and you will prove true loyalty to Me.
THINK:
My daily life is really a battle, with opposing forces arising both inside and outside of me.
My most dangerous enemies in this battle, are the enemies within the gates, the blind,
unreasoning desires deep within me. They are never quite dead, never completely satisfied.
The real I is seen in what my will chooses to follow: either the law of intelligence and
faith, or the law of pride and blind feelings. Prayer, Sacraments, and mortification are the
weapons which will overcome the enemy. The battle will become much harder if I allow any
bad habit to grow strong. Relying on God's grace and following the directions of His Church
I will conquer sin and advance in virtue each day.
PRAY:
My King and Saviour, You overcame temptation and sin to give me a holy example and to
bring me grace to follow Your example. Make me a loyal follower of Yours in this daily
battle against my proud and selfish human nature. I hope in Your assistance, and I will begin
this day to practice mortification wherever possible. I shall keep trying to live an intelligent
life, a life of obedience to Your all-wise Will. Let me subdue the dangerous enemy within
me by frequent mortification. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 101
Examples of Self-Conquest
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, read the lives of My saints, and you will learn a great deal about life's daily
battle. Why were they so loyal to Me? Because they had grasped the secret of all success in
this fight for Heaven. They saw the infinite goodness and lovableness of God, and the
passing nature of all earthly joys and satisfaction.
2. Their main interest was to follow My Will in everything and to mortify every contrary
feeling and desire within them. When they noticed a fault, they started fighting it at once by
doing the opposite of that inclination. They overcame their faults by positive action. If they
were guilty of pride, they looked for a chance to be humiliated, and they thanked Me for
sending these opportunities to them.
3. You must become that interested in your perfection. At present you hardly conquer a
single fault in many years. You fear the discomfort and inconvenience of the fight against

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self. The slightest unpleasant experience puts you on the defensive for your rights and for
the things you like.
I am ready to help you the moment you make up your mind to begin in earnest the fight for
Heaven.
THINK:

Yes, I am still in favor of my blind, unreasoning desires. When will I imitate the saints by an
honest daily effort to get rid of my faults? How I shall wish, at the Last judgment, that I had
done so! On that day I shall rejoice if I have honestly tried to follow Christ, my King. How
quickly the pains of the battle will be forgotten when I receive the congratulations of all
God's Blessed! How grateful I shall be to God as I look at the misery and woe of those on
the left side, those who lived only for self .

PRAY:
My Jesus, You showed Your divine power to the Apostles by commanding the winds and
the waves. Command the tempests of selfishness within me, and let me become, at last,
empty of this false and hurtful self-love. True love seeks what is good. Let me have true
love for myself, that is, let me seek what is really good for me and for others. My true good
lies in Your holy Will, because You know what is best for me. Free me from my passions
and my unreasonable desires. Purify my soul and make me brave enough to suffer anything
rather than sin again. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 102
Mistaken Self-Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, here is the secret of all perfection-forget self-interest and follow My Will in all
things. You want what you consider good for you, but you are often wrong in your
calculations. I want what is really best for you, and I am never mistaken. If you want to be
the kind of person I want you to be, learn My truth and do My Will. Then leave the rest to
Me.
2. Every human fault arises from a mistaken self-love. Men overcome their faults only as far
as they really abandon their selfishness and follow Me. Some make a half-hearted effort, and
some make a ninety percent effort, but only a few make a full effort with no reservations.
3. If you gave all of your goods to the poor, without giving your heart to Me, you have done
nothing as far as eternal life is concerned. Even great penance means nothing unless you are
determined to fight against your faults. There is no substitute for true virtue. The basis of
true virtue lies in this -that you accept and prefer My Will in all things.
4. You are not so wise as you think. You do not always know what is truly best for you. No
man is richer, no one is happier than lie who loves My Will in all things. Empty your heart
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of every other desire, and place your daily life in My hands. Work, and pray, and do all that
is right and good for you. When things do not go as you desire, do what you can to remedy
them, After you have done all that common sense demands, accept the results as My Will.
THINK:
Here is the key to God's peace, and yet I hesitate to use it. Can God be mistaken? Can He be
wrong? Why do I not find His peace within me? It is simply because I have not yet
succeeded in placing my life in His hands. I am not quite sure that He will do what I would
like. Yet I know that He loves me more than I love myself. He wants what is surely good for
me, not merely some deceptive good thing. Do I want to look out for myself, even if it
means committing a sin here and there? Sin hurts me far more than I realize.
PRAY:

My Jesus, show me how to begin at last a life of obedience and loyalty to Your Will. Let me
forget self and become more unselfish with those around me. Wherever I can, I hope to do
things for others. Sin must be hated for what it is- --self-deception and stupidity. How can I
ever do what is wrong, knowing that it hurts me and offends You? I will try, with Your help,
to live my daily life as a true and loyal follower of Yours. What You forbid is forbidden
because it is bad for me. How can I ever insist on sinning again? You have proven Your
love for me in a thousand ways. I hope to prove my love for You by trying to act as You
want me to act in my daily life. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 103
Fear of Suffering
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as long as you are afraid to suffer, you will not possess My peace. This fear
will make it too difficult for you to follow My Will. In many things you will sin and do what
is bad for you.
2. Be loyal to Me if you want My peace on earth and happiness unending in Heaven. Be
loyal to My Will, whether I send what you like or what you dislike. For My sake live your
daily life bravely, even when it involves hardship and suffering.
3. Many pursue an imaginary happiness. When they get what they want, they soon find out
that it does not bring them the joy which they had expected. They gradually tire of it and the
search for happiness is on again.
4. Do not blame the place where you are, nor the people around you if you do not have
peace of soul. If you went elsewhere and met new people, you would still be the same you,
with the same old faults and defects. You might become a changed man, but you would not
necessarily be a better man. As soon as the old situations arose, you would still have to fight
the battle from which you ran away. Being better means overcoming your faults, not putting
them to sleep by avoiding disagreeable circumstances. The change which you must make is
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a change within yourself. Begin today with the help of My grace. Make a continual effort to
mortify self-love.
THINK:
Until I have overcome my faults, I can never be sure when they will flare up again and make
me offend God. I must try to face situations in which I can practice the virtues opposed to
my faults. If I am an impatient person, I should look for opportunities to practice patience.
So too with other faults. Only action will prove what faults I have and which virtues I need.
The man who is afraid of inconvenience or suffering, will never advance in virtue. He lacks
the courage to face the unpleasant situation which can strengthen his virtue. True, I am not
to look for occasions of sin, but I can find many an ordinary condition of my daily life
which can act as a normal test of virtue.

PRAY:
My Jesus, only practice will perfect my soul. Only action can show me how far I have
developed the graces which You have sent me. Do not let me go on avoiding the unpleasant
situations which are a necessary part of my life. Let me face them and deal with them as
You want me to. Where I should be unselfish, or humble, or patient, or trusting in You, let
me practice these virtues. I refuse to go on living with my faults. I wish to begin at last to
attack them by practicing the opposite virtues. As opportunities arise, let me recognize them
and use them for Your sake. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 104
The Gift of Grace
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when I give you actual graces, your mind receives holy thoughts, your will has
good desires, and you feel drawn toward Me. Such graces are special gifts of Mine. They
help you to rise above earthly attractions and worldly satisfactions.
2. Never oppose My actual graces, but follow them and use them faithfully. You will then
prove your loyalty to Me, and you will merit still greater graces. By prayer, sacraments, self-
denial, and self-conquest your spiritual life will grow. Little by little a marvelous change
will come over your thinking, your desires, and your actions. You will be living a holier life,
a life more like Mine.
3. In baptism I gave you sanctifying grace, by which the Holy Trinity became your Guest.
My divine life was placed within you to make you worthy of Heaven. No matter what
wonderful things a man may do, unless My sanctifying grace is in him, his accomplishments
are merely human, and their glory will one day fade away. No arts, no strength, no beauty,
no genius, no eloquence-nothing on earth, be it ever so admirable, is worthy of Heaven until
it has been elevated and purified by sanctifying grace.
4. Natural gifts and talents are possessed by both good and bad people. Sanctifying grace,
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however, is possessed only by the good, and it makes them worthy of Heaven. So great a
gift is this grace that neither the power of miracles, the gift of prophecy, nor any other gift or
talent can compare with it. This grace changes a man and makes him more like Me. Without
it man remains bound to earth and controlled by his human nature.
THINK:
The grace of God I Next to God Himself, this is my most precious possession I With His
actual graces God speaks to me, draws me on toward my true, eternal greatness, and gives
me strength to do supernatural, God-like deeds. In the unbaptized adult and in the soul
which has sinned seriously, it takes one or more actual graces to bring Sanctifying Grace to
the soul. With Sanctifying Grace one becomes a temple of God, with the Blessed Trinity
dwelling within the soul. This privilege makes the unworthy sinner worthy of Heaven,
makes the weak strong, and bestows on the person a dignity which no earthly power or
position can give.
The more I make use of actual graces, the more do I increase the Sanctifying Grace within
me. This makes me a closer friend of God, stronger against temptations, and deserving of a
still higher place in Heaven.
PRAY:
My loving Creator and Father, I am unable to do anything worthy of Heaven unless Your
grace enlightens, strengthens, and assists me in my thoughts, desires, words, and actions.
Only with Your help can I do what You desire of me. Without Your grace I am helpless
against the slightest temptations. May I never neglect the actual graces which You send me
throughout the day. I hope to turn my back on whatever threatens to deprive me of
Sanctifying Grace. As long as this Grace is with me, You Yourself are my constant
companion. With You I wish to walk safely each hour of the day toward Heaven's eternal
happiness. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 105
Nature Versus Grace
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I want you to become a spiritual man, that is, one who is wise enough to
recognize the various forms of self-deception and the many graces which come your way
each day. There is in your nature a deep selfishness which does not always seek what is
really good for you. It often wants what merely seems good.
Listen to Me and learn the difference between the mistaken desires of nature and the truly
good desires which I send by My grace.
2. Nature is selfish. It will try to enjoy everything on earth and still gain Heaven. Even
where sin is involved, nature attempts to make excuses, for self and looks for reasons to
favor self. Grace simply looks for My Will, turning away from all occasions of sin and self-

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deception.
3. Nature hates all restraint. It wants to follow its own likes, its own desires, and its own
will. Grace is interested in self-control, self-conquest, and obedience to authority. It seeks to
please Me in everything and in every way. It looks for opportunities to suffer something
more for My sake.
4. Nature is interested in self. It works for its own interests. In whatever it does, it looks to
its own advantage and profit. Grace follows My interests. It tries to help as many people as
possible, and leaves all self-interest in My hands.
5. Nature loves honor and respect. Grace accepts all honor and respect in My name and
offers them to Me, knowing that without Me, man is nothing.

6. Nature is afraid of shame, contempt, or insults. Grace does not mind such things because
it cannot forget how much shame, contempt, and insults I embraced for the sins of men.
7. Nature loves bodily ease and comfort. Grace loves to keep busy so that it may present a
fuller life to Me.
THINK:
Seeing these differences between nature and grace, I ought to become more eager to do
things for God and to forget this selfish nature of mine.
PRAY:
O Holy Ghost, Giver of grace and Sanctifier of all men, I wish that I could give You the
unselfish devotion and loyalty which You deserve. You are my God. So often throughout
the day, You send me good thoughts and holy desires. How long will I go on paying so little
attention to Your holy inspirations? Grant that I may become wise in the ways of nature and
grace. Let me become what I should have been long before now. I want now to follow what
You desire of me. When You show me sin in my daily life, let me hate it and avoid it. When
You tell me how I am to live, let me not be a coward who puts things off. My God, lead me
on toward Heaven's glorious life each hour of the day. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 106
Grace Versus Nature
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, nature reaches out for things which are attractive, or curiosities. It is repelled
by what is ordinary and inexpensive. Grace refuses to be drawn too strongly to anything on
earth. It deliberately chooses ordinary things, and even unattractive things, so that it may not
become too distracted from Me in daily life.
2. Nature easily rejoices at gaining and winning things, but frets at any loss. Grace is not so

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easily troubled if it loses some worldly advantage, nor is it so disturbed when it must give up
an earthly gain.
3. Nature is irritated at unkind and harsh words, but grace knows how to keep an even
temper in the face of cruel and mean persons.
4. Nature prefers to receive rather than to give. It likes to have little privileges. Grace is
more ready to give than to receive. It tries to avoid privileges, and even prefers to have less
than others, so as to be more like Me, the King of sacrifice.
THINK:
All of this is actually happening in my life. At times, I am too blind to realize what is going
on within me and around me. I do not always want to do what God desires of me. At every
step the battle goes on, the battle of blind selfishness versus the grace of God in my soul, the
fight of evil against goodness. Only when I am asleep is this warfare quiet.
PRAY:
My God, how important even little things seem when I hear You interpret them in the light
of eternity. So often what I consider a small matter, is really big because it is a choice
between my will and Yours. Nothing is little, nothing is unimportant, nothing is insignificant
in my daily life. What I think, do, or say, shows what I want and what I am trying to be.
Make me more aware of Your presence in my life. If I see You more clearly, I will be more
willing to forget self and to follow Your holy Will. Grant me grace to be more for You and
less for this blind and unreasoning self within me. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 107
Nature and Grace
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, nature wants to have plenty of what it likes. It is not satisfied with only just
enough. Grace seeks only what it needs to live a good life.
2. Nature wants many friends and companions. It prefers those who have power, and flatters
those who can give favors. Grace loves all people. It even wishes the welfare of enemies. It
honors all men according to their position. It favors most those who are truly in need of
help. It honors goodness more than goods. It respects virtue more than talent.
3. Nature easily complains of its wants and troubles. Grace is silent before people. It
presents its needs first to Me.
4. Nature judges each thing according to how it helps self in this earthly life. Grace values
each thing according to how it helps man to follow My Win.
5. Nature holds on to its own opinions. It will fight and dispute against anyone who seems to
challenge its imagined greatness. Grace offers its opinions simply, discusses without

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resentment, and leaves to Me those who disagree.
6. Nature is curious to know the secrets of others. Grace prefers to know what My words are
and to avoid needless distractions.
THINK:
How repulsive my nature can be when it is not controlled! It can make life miserable for me
and for the people around me. Grace draws people toward God. It spreads love and
happiness wherever it reigns. When grace becomes the ruling force in my daily life, I shall
have the wonderful peace of Christ. My peace will spread to those around me, and their life
will be better because they have known me.

PRAY:
Holy Ghost, God of peace and joy, I lay my life at Your feet. Do with me whatever You
wish. Empty this heart of selfishness and fill it with grace. Shine out in me so that those
around me may feel Your holy presence in their life. Let them become better because they
have known me. All this You will do if only I can learn at last Your glorious lesson of grace.
Help me to let Your divine Will rule my life every moment of the day. Not my feelings, not
my earthly self-love but Your holy wisdom and grace must lead me along. Lead on, my
God. I hope to act as You wish in all things today. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 108
The Control of One's Desires
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, the moment you desire anything too much, you lose My gift of peace. The
proud and the covetous are never at peace. The poor in spirit, the humble man, enjoys a
heavenly peace of soul.
2. To set your life in order, you must begin from within. Begin with your desires. Allow
yourself to want only what I want you to have. Do not desire what is not for you. Why
desire things which will tie your heart too much to this earth?
3. Surrender yourself to My Will, and you will gain a victory over all earthly things.
Examine your desires. Even when they seem good and holy, they can hurt you by
demanding too much attention, and so preventing you from fulfilling your duties and
obligations.
4. I want you to have the freedom of My true followers. Love My wisdom and choose My
Will, and you will never be downcast if your plans or your friends fail you. So long as you
have done your honest best, believe firmly that I am pleased with you. This above all must
you desire-to please Me in all things.
THINK:

~ 106 ~
My true perfection is based on God's word and His grace. With His help, I can gain a self-
control far beyond anything dreamed by worldly men. This control is needed even in things
which are good and holy in themselves. I must look first to my duties and obligations. Any
holiness which makes me neglect these, is not from God. Over-eagerness brings anxiety,
fear, and nervousness. It makes me less able to do my duties. It diminishes my recollection
and interior peace, and makes me more subject to impatience, anger and rash judgments.
Uncontrolled desires and intentions can make me fall into sin. They can make me
imprudent, so that I may try to help others too much. Others may resent my help, and
because of me, refuse to do what is right.
PRAY:

My Jesus, let me do Your work for Your sake, and not for my own pride and self-
satisfaction. As long as I want what You want, I will act prudently and safely. Let me not try
to rush what must be done slowly. If I fret at my failures, I am working for myself and not
for You. Your Will is to be done, not mine. I hope to attempt all the good within my reach,
but I will not be over-anxious about the results. If I lose my presence of mind and my peace
of soul, it is because I am thinking more of Your work than of Your Will. I need only do my
best. The rest depends on the people around me and Your grace. Let me never think that I
am bigger than You. I now put all things into Your hands. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 109
Controlling One's Own Opinion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, everybody likes to follow his own way of thinking. Every man prefers to
associate with those who agree with his ideas. Yet, it is so foolish for you to think too highly
of your own opinion.
2. Nobody knows all the answers. The man who is always talking does not advance much in
knowledge. A good listener will always learn more than the one who talks too much.
3. It is not always necessary to point out the mistakes of others. Even when you know better,
you need not always express your opinion. In fact, many discussions are unnecessary and
unimportant. So often, too, opinions depend on people's likes and dislikes. Why argue when
it is not an important matter?
4. To those who know how to control their tongues for My sake, I grant the grace of interior
peace.
5. Do not love your own opinions too much. Be humble enough to seek advice when you
need it. Do not try to be independent of all other opinions. Different opinions may bring you
a broader understanding of yourself as well as of others.
THINK:
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At times I must hold my tongue for the sake of peace. Many unimportant things are said and
done in daily life. It is my pride that makes me want to correct people at the slightest
opportunity. Corrections are unnecessary in many things. I should not place too much
confidence in my own sentiments and opinions. In small, unimportant matters I do no harm
by keeping silent and listening to opinions which do not agree with mine. It takes a deep
humility and a delicate charity to act in this way.
PRAY:
O Jesus, King of truth, help me to preserve peace and harmony among those around me.
Teach me to work and labor for what is right. Let me never listen in silence to what is
contrary to Your teachings, or hurtful to my neighbor or my own soul. Yet, show me how to
be considerate of other people's feelings and opinions as far as it can be done without
compromising Your truth. Grant me the humility to follow advice when necessary. Let me
love Your truth more than my own opinions. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 110
Love of Solitude
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, let Me show you the great value of prayerful solitude. When you converse with
men, you often come away with useless distractions, false ideas, and unwanted desires.
When you communicate with Me, your under-standing of life is deepened and your outlook
is broadened. Human conversation usually ties your thoughts to this earthly life, but talking
with Me raises your thoughts above the narrow limits of your mortal existence. Human
conversation often brings an exaggerated esteem for the passing glories of earth. Heavenly
conversation brings a clearer vision of the eternal glory which awaits you.
2. Come aside and rest a while in My company. Do this as often as you can during the day.
Learn to appreciate My friendship in solitude. This will make it easier for you to keep a holy
intention in your activities, a clear conscience, and peace of mind. Love to pray and labor
unseen by humans, and you will discover many little ways of pleasing Me more. My light
falls on prayerful hearts like seed falling on rich soil.
3. It is easier to control your thoughts and desires by staying at home than by going out too
often. Frequent visiting and going out bring too many distractions. You cannot safely appear
in public until you have developed a love for solitude.
4. In prayerful solitude you will receive a deep appreciation of your heavenly goal in life. A
man of prayer speaks when speech is useful to himself or his neighbor. He will not waste his
energy and squander his thoughts in idle conversation.
THINK:
What a marvelous interior knowledge and power will be mine when I have learned to enjoy
holy reading and meditation on the things of God! I will share His thoughts and follow His
~ 108 ~
all-wise Will. In prayerful solitude I can find the light and strength to live a holy and truly
successful life on earth.
PRAY:
My ever-present God, I hope to turn to You at different times throughout the day to tell You
whatever is in my thoughts. Grant that I may gradually become more and more conscious of
Your nearness to me, and of Your loving interest in whatever concerns me. Let me turn to
You as easily as I turn to my human friends. I need this grace in order to live a truly virtuous
life. Help me, Lord, to develop a livelier prayer-life in my daily activities. Amen.

SELF CONQUEST THROUGH MORTIFICATION

CHAPTER 111
The Virtue of Silence
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, there are times when you ought to keep to yourself and avoid conversation.
There is no profit in unkind talk, rash talk, or indecent talk. What is the good of wasting
time with idle disputes or with boasting?
2. True, there are times when light conversation brings needed relief and necessary
recreation, but talk which does not help the speaker or the listener to live a better life, is a
shameful waste of precious time, time which will never return.
3. Think before you speak, and you will never regret your words. The spoken word cannot
be recalled. It is not always possible to undo the harm caused by thoughtless talk.
4. Many saints have avoided the company of men whenever possible in order to enjoy a
closer union with Me. One of them once remarked: As often as I have gone among men, I
returned less a man. Isn't this true of you when you talk too long? It is easier to keep
silence altogether than to stop talking when you should.
5. In silence I shall speak to you with less interruptions. My words will come in the form of
ideas, desires, intentions, and resolutions which arise within your soul. You will hear My
voice with less distraction. Love silence and learn to use it well. Then will you draw closer
to Me, as I am close to you.
THINK:
Silence is truly a virtue when practiced for God. In developing a love for silence, I will learn
a deeper wisdom, a broader outlook on everyday life, and a brighter vision of God's nearness
and love. In human conversations, I will listen more and talk less, I will learn more and
make fewer mistakes. People will respect my judgments more because I will think before
speaking. Each time I open my mouth, I will do so for a definite purpose, a good purpose.
God's wisdom will take the place of my human folly, and my words will help those who
hear me.

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PRAY:
Dear Holy Spirit, my God, teach me to talk well and wisely. Let me avoid useless
conversations. Help me to speak often for You. Grant that my words may never hurt men of
good will. May my words always bring consolation to those in sorrow, guidance to those
who are confused, light to the ignorant, hope to those who despair, comfort to those who are
troubled, and good advice to those in need. Take my lips and make them Yours. Take
possession of my mind and make it an instrument of Your goodness and a channel of Your
truth. I hope to become a man of silence, that is, one who prefers to talk to God rather than
to men. In my human conversations, may I always bring You closer to them and them closer
to You. Amen.

~ 110 ~
 BOOK TWO

The Way of Imitation

THIS IS THE SECOND STAGE in one's spiritual development. In abandoning his serious
faults and his predominant venial sins, the spiritual beginner has laid a solid foundation of
many virtues. In a sense, however, his spiritual growth thus far has been a negative sort of
thing; that is, he has advanced in the various virtues by resisting the faults to which they
were opposed.
Christ's follower is now invited to rise to a higher degree of union with God. He is to do this
by imitating the example which Christ set in His earthly life. Jesus said, He that sees Me,
sees the Father also. Therefore, the more Christ-like one becomes in his daily life, the more
God-like will he be.
This second level of the supernatural life is known as the illuminative way, the way of
enlightenment. By drawing closer to Christ in friendship, man comes to understand God
more clearly and appreciate Him more fully. Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the
Life ... Learn of Me ... Christ's follower must now take his eyes away from himself for
longer periods, so that he may concentrate more and more upon his King and Model. He no
longer practices the various virtues of daily life to oppose his faults, but to show Christ a
greater love and loyalty.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 1
Knowledge and Wisdom
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, those who follow Me, do not walk in darkness. With Me there is neither
guesswork nor error. I have given you an example in My daily life. In order that you might
not misunderstand My example and My words, I founded My Church to explain them. To
keep you from the torture of doubts and from all foolish extremes, I promised to preserve
My Church from error in her religious and moral teachings.
2. Follow Me, and you will be walking the path to eternal life. Do not let your emotions
confuse your thinking. Control your foolish pride and let Me guide you through My Church.
She will speak your language and will prevent you from misunderstanding My teachings.
By a frequent use of My sacraments you will gain a deeper appreciation of My Truth.
3. Many are deaf to My voice. They say that they follow Me without any human
steppingstone. These people are deceiving themselves. They are simply too proud to submit
themselves to the human guides whom I set over them. Their religion consists only of what
they understand. or like, or find convenient.

4. I do not want self-made men among My followers. Mere human judgments are too feeble
to follow My teachings without error, and mere human strength is too weak to obey My
~ 111 ~
commandments without the supernatural help of My grace. Sincerity is no substitute for
truth and right. True, I want you to follow your conscience in your daily life, but without My
Church you will not always be sure that your conscience is correct.
5. Come, follow Me in your daily life. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you will
find the most important knowledge of life, and the only sure way to eternal happiness. Learn
My Truth and follow My example in your daily life, and your reward will be greater than
words can ever express. Meditate often upon My earthly life. As far as you know how,
imitate Me in your daily activities. With Me you will have peace and a daily progress
toward Heaven's eternal joy.
THINK:
Christ wants no guesswork, but a sure course of action. The King of Truth wants His
followers to possess the truth. He speaks to me through the Scriptures, the Christian
tradition, my prayers, and the circumstances of daily life. I can learn the true interpretation
of these things from His Church. It is not always easy to be sure what God desires of me.
Even my good intentions may lead me astray into ridiculous extremes. Only Christ's Church
can guide me with certainty. When She speaks, Christ speaks. He promised to be with Her
all days until the end of the world. A true follower of Christ. will look to His Church for the
knowledge and wisdom of Christ.
PRAY:
My Jesus, I thank you for leaving me Your Church. I see so many sects which claim to have
your blessing and support. Yet, they contradict one another in many doctrines. You have
granted me the favor of knowing Your one, true, apostolic Church. She still stands today,
after centuries of opposition and persecution. The many attempts of Satan to destroy Her
have failed, as You promised they would. Empires have risen and fallen, but Your Church
goes on telling the world Your holy teachings and commandments. You still speak through
Her, offering truth and wisdom to all men. Let me always follow Her guidance in all matters
of faith and morals. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 2
The Divine Teacher
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, My grace is richer, deeper, grander, and more glorious than any other
possession or achievement on earth. It shows you what is better and more profitable for your
eternal success. It strengthens you against all earthly attractions and makes you the true
master of your own life.
2. My grace brings you a yearning for Heaven and freedom from many earthly fears. All
graces are gifts from Me. Actual grace enlightens your mind to see some truth more clearly
and appreciate it more deeply; then it gives your will an inclination toward the good which
you see; and finally it offers you strength to follow that good, if you so desire. Every actual
~ 112 ~
grace contains these three elements.
3. I speak to different persons in different ways, according to their background, abilities, and
efforts. I do not always use words when I speak within your soul. Often My message is
received and understood in an instant. In your reading, reflecting, and prayer, I often speak
to you. I help you to understand more clearly what you read in books or hear in sermons.
The grandest sermon would be just so many words if I did not bless it with My grace. It is I
who enable the listeners to understand it, desire it, and live it.
4. My grace cannot help you unless you accept it and make use of it. Read, reflect, and pray,
so that you may better understand what I want you to know. Make frequent use of My
sacraments to gain strength for life's daily activities. Through My Church and your own
interior life I will guide you each day toward eternal life.
THINK:
Jesus is ready to help me at every step. He wants me to become more and more like Him in
my daily activities. His Church, His sacraments, and His grace are always ready to assist
me. With the help of these, I am to do my part each day. I must see what virtues I need most,
consider how Jesus would practice these virtues in my place, and then make a determined
effort to imitate Him. He expects a continued effort in spite of repeated failures and constant
difficulties.
PRAY:
O Jesus, My King and Teacher, grant me the wisdom to listen to Your voice and to follow
Your holy example. You said that we must strive to be perfect as our heavenly Father is
perfect. You also told us that whoever sees You, sees the heavenly Father also. There is no
greater achievement on earth than to imitate Your divine goodness in my daily life. Lord, I
have many faults and numberless weaknesses. Yet, at Your command I shall try to become
daily a little more like You. This is what You desire of me. Grant me the strength to begin at
last. Let me make an honest effort throughout the day. I promise that I will refuse to be
discouraged by my failures. I am determined to begin over again no matter how often I may
fall down in my resolutions. You deserve such loyalty and unselfish devotion. Help me, my
Jesus. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 3
Christ's Lessons
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, learn to listen to My voice, and you will make great progress in a short time.
One who listens to Me learns much more rapidly than one who relies only on his natural
talents. My lessons bring wisdom, peace, and spiritual strength.
2. My faithful pupils learn to value earthly things for what they are really worth. They
understand how quickly worldly honors fade. They know how short-lived earthly prosperity

~ 113 ~
is, and how perfect and undying are the joys of Heaven. They realize how puny and weak
human love is when compared to the love of the infinite God.
3. My lessons are suited to each individual. Whether they use books, or prayer, or
sacraments, or personal guidance of a spiritual director, I reach their soul through these
different means, giving them light to understand and strength for action.
4. What I say to each person depends on his spiritual level. Some people never get beyond
the most ordinary knowledge because they have made no efforts to rise any higher. To those
who try to come closer to Me, I bring greater understanding of some particular truth. To
those who make frequent efforts to give Me their best attention, I grant a wonderful interior
vision, a deep insight into the beauty and grandeur of My holy Truth. foolish extremes.
5. Beware, however, of all These are never inspired by My grace. They arise from spiritual
pride, spiritual gluttony, or some desire for self-satisfaction. Never forget this-: whatever
interferes with your daily duties and obligations, is against My Will.
THINK:
I must become a spiritual listener, turning my mind to God occasionally during the day.
Whether I use books or my own efforts, Jesus will reach me and give me His thoughts. He
will help me to know His desires and to see His Will Where any doubt or question arises, as
to whether my inspiration is truly from God, I should consult a priest. Jesus longs to tell me
many things about life's deeper meaning and Heaven's wonderful joys. I cannot hear His
voice unless I learn to pause and listen for it.
PRAY:
Lord, make me eager to hear Your voice and to follow Your holy words in my daily life. My
pride and foolish self-seeking make me so deaf to You that too often I hear only the voices
of this world. One distraction after another fills my thoughts. Give me grace to hear Your
loving voice within my soul. Grant me a great, unselfish generosity to give You more of my
time and attention. You desire only my true and lasting welfare. Make me an active listener;
that is, one who honestly tries to follow what You tell him. I shall avoid all self- deception
and foolish extremes by consulting my confessor in all doubts or difficulties. Never will I
follow my inspirations if they interfere with my daily obligations. Speak to me Lord; Your
servant is listening. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 4
True Perfection
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, when I send you spiritual desires and interior consolation, do not consider
yourself holier than you were before. Spiritual progress does not consist of these gifts alone.
They are not proof of higher virtue.

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2. True spiritual progress and all solid virtue consist of self-surrender to Me. Seek to know
ever better what I think of your daily life. Try to understand more clearly what I desire of
you. Do not think that you know enough, or that you are doing well enough in your daily
life. As long as I deserve better than what you are, you must not be self-satisfied.
3. Your effort must be to gain more and more of My thoughts, My desires and My outlook
on life. You must also try to guide and control your daily life as I desire. Do this with
complete devotion to My Will. With equal peace of soul give thanks for whatever I send
you, be it visible success or failure, prosperity or adversity.
4. My loyal disciples follow Me in humility and in selfless obedience. Their patience keeps
them from discouragement and their charity preserves them from disgust. They advance in
perfection each day, pleasing Me more and more in their way of thinking, speaking, and
acting. Come, follow Me along the path of true perfection.
THINK:
Many people do not know the true meaning of Christian perfection. They think it merely
means going to church, saying a certain number of prayers, and avoiding all serious sins.
One who does this much is holy because he is in the state of grace, and consequently has
God dwelling in his soul. Such a person, however, may be very imperfect, being careless
about his lesser faults and defects. Others think that Christian perfection consists of
extraordinary spiritual manifestations like visions or extreme penances. These things,
however, may not necessarily come from God, but from a sick mind, or one's own self- love,
or even from the devil.
Christian perfection begins with the state of grace, but it aims further. One who seeks this
perfection, strives to live more fully for God by a greater imitation of Christ's earthly
example. He seeks to dedicate himself as completely to the Will of the heavenly Father as
Jesus did. Hence he tries to think, speak, and act more like Jesus each day. The greater his
success in putting on Christ, the greater his degree of Christian perfection.
PRAY:
My Jesus, model of all true perfection, You said that I must be perfect as Your heavenly
Father is perfect. You also said that he who sees You sees also the Father. Therefore, by
being more like You in my daily life, I shall become more like our heavenly Father. As I go
along throughout my daily activities, make me more conscious of Your holy example. Show
me how I may imitate You in each event of daily life. To dispose myself for these wonderful
graces, I shall try to read, meditate, and reflect how I may become more like You. Give me
strength to remain loyal to You when my selfish human nature clamors for its own
satisfactions. I desire to give You this greater loyalty because You deserve it. You have
done so much for my sake. Help me do more for You. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 5
A Sustained Effort
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CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not be afraid nor discouraged at hearing my instructions about the way to
perfection. Pray for a burning desire to follow Me along this way. Make a daily effort to do
so.
Many people refuse even to consider such an effort. Others make a half hearted attempt, but
they turn away at the first sign of difficulty. my loyal followers try again and again, in spite
of repeated failures. By their refusal to quit, they go far in the work of self-perfection.
2. Make your resolution to follow My example in your daily life. Then do your best to fulfill
the resolution. Do not judge your progress by your feelings, nor by visible signs. just purify
your intention, concentrate on the virtue you need or desire, and strive to eliminate all
natural self-seeking. How few are those who are really all for Me, those who try to please
Me in all things simply because I deserve it.
3. True, this perfection is not reached in a day. However, it will never be reached if you
never start trying. It is not easy to live entirely for Me, continually trying to control and
direct your feelings and selfish desires for My sake. I shall stand by you to guide and
strengthen you. Still, you will have to do your part. Make every effort to guide your thinking
throughout the day, so that you may not lose sight of Me in your various activities. From
time to time test your pure intention by contradicting your natural desires.
THINK:
It is not enough to make good resolutions. I must also make plans, practical plans about
keeping the resolutions. Having done this, and having begged God's blessing, I should get
busy with the virtue or fault in question. Failures need not discourage me. Rather, they
should strengthen my determination to see this matter through. My loyalty to Jesus will
show itself in my refusal to abandon this glorious effort for Christian perfection. As far as
Jesus is concerned, if I am willing to try, and to continue to try in spite of failures, He will
be content with me. Sincerity and honest effort are the surest signs of unselfishness with
God.
PRAY:
Dearest Lord, this work of self-purification is not the work of a day, nor is it easy. I long to
make whatever daily effort is necessary. I yearn for the day when my thoughts will turn
easily, almost naturally, to the higher things in life. I desire to see the eternal importance of
the temporal matters which occupy me today. This will come with my spiritual growth. I
must do what reading, reflecting, and praying I can, in order to gain the graces necessary for
this degree of union with You. As I continue to practice mortification and self control, I
shall come closer and closer to this spiritual state. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 6

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Dispositions of a True Follower of Christ
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, if you want to be a true follower of Mine, gain control over your blind
selfishness. Many never enjoy My friendship and love because they never really try to reach
Me. They pay too much attention to their unreasoning natural desires and blind human
appetites.
2. Your unreasoning nature wants more than what is necessary. In order to become the
master of your life, rid yourself of all unnecessary desires. Learn to live with less, and you
will have more time for Me.
3. The more you surrender to your human desires, the more you will be distracted from Me.
The secret of union with Me lies in separating yourself from as much as possible in this life.
4. Turn your back on whatever threatens to come between you and Me. Indeed, be ready to
abandon any person or thing which does not in some way help you become a better man.
Your earthly life is so very short. Do not waste any of it.
5. If only you will make the effort, I shall help you to rise above earthly distractions. My
grace will give you a keen appreciation of My greatness, goodness, and love. It will also fill
your heart with a higher love and a heavenly peace. You will learn to prefer My Will to your
own, and the world will no longer seem so all important to you.
THINK:
This brief lesson contains the secret of great perfection and peace. If I do not have Christ's
peace, it is because I have not dared to follow His teaching. I ought to let His words guide
me in my daily activities. My moods, feelings, and desires will be good for me only if I
control them and direct them as Jesus commands. Why do I waste precious time with things
that are unnecessary, things which fail to improve my daily life? As I rise higher in
perfection, I will see the foolishness of many things which now have power to sway and
attract me.
PRAY:
My Jesus, light of the world, be the light of my soul, so that I may never again go astray in
the darkness of worldly desires and blind self-deception. Let me be brave enough to
abandon any person or thing which leads me away from You in my daily life. I want to look
to Your Will before following my natural desires. You know what is good for me. I want to
follow Your wisdom in everything I do throughout the day. I beg You for strength to follow
Your Will when it leads me toward what I dislike or fear. 0 Jesus, be my fight and my
strength. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 7
Christ's Call to Action
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CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not be too impressed by the beautiful language or witty sayings of men, My
standard is not one of words, but of action. My teachings are meant to influence your will. If
you live them in your daily life, you prove your love for Me. Only action will satisfy this
heart of Mine. The most beautiful words are not half so beautiful to Me as the life of one
who follows My teachings in his daily activities.
2. Never read or learn anything for the sake of appearing wise. Do it but only to improve
your daily life. Some people study in order to impress others. Their knowledge is vanity
because it does not make them better in action. As a good tree is known by its good fruit, so
too is a good man known by the goodness of his thoughts, words, and deeds.
3. Though I am pleased with good desires, I am convinced only by action. How hard do you
try to follow your good desires? That is how much you really care for Me. Never forget My
words, If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Not he who says, 'Lord, Lord !'
will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but rather he who does the Will of My
Father, he will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

4. Learn of Me, and you will have the best knowledge. Follow that knowledge in your daily
life, and you will be living a wonderful life. You will be admired and praised by the angels
and saints of Heaven, and by Me, the King of Heaven.
5. Many things are unimportant. They bring you only a distracted mind and they prevent you
from following Me more perfectly in your daily life. Put these things out of your life, so that
you may give Me a fuller loyalty and a more perfect love.
THINK:
Words are meant to point out truth, and desires help me reach out for it, but action is the
most convincing proof that I really love God's Truth. I need to be more simple in my
following of Christ. What He says I should honestly try to do. His Church will protect me
against any imprudence, extremes, and errors. In following Christ I must seek neither
attention nor excitement, but a simple loyalty of action. Only in this way can I avoid self-
deception and false self-interest in its many disguises.
PRAY:
My God and Saviour, until I seek You above all else in daily life, I deserve only pity and
contempt; pity for my folly, and contempt for my stubborn wrong-doing. Never can I find
greater good for myself than in Your holy Will. Nowhere shall I discover a more devoted
loyalty to me than the loyalty of Your Sacred Heart. Make me less a man of words and more
a man of action. I can never again deceive myself in Your service if I make action my
standard of loyalty. You Yourself will guide me through Your holy Church and strengthen
me through Your sacraments. I hope to turn this daily life of mine into one great act of love
for You. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

~ 118 ~
CHAPTER 8
Standards of Christ
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, there is a great difference between a man who learns by natural talent alone,
and one who learns with the help of My grace. The knowledge which comes through grace
is far higher, richer, and nobler for your daily life than any other knowledge.
2. My knowledge brings a holy joy and a new energy to the soul. He who possesses it sees
much more in life than what appears on the surface.
3. Worldly wisdom is foolish in comparison with the knowledge which I give. I teach the
freedom of self-control and the joy of spiritual perfection.
4. The world is often fascinated by the deeds of selfish and proud men, but the virtues of
daily life do not always interest the worldly minded. Worldly people envy one who is rich,
strong, attractive, clever, a good writer, a good singer, a fine workman, etc. They would be
wiser if they admired and imitated the patient man, the prayerful man, the unselfish one, the
considerate person; in short, those who seek to imitate Me in their daily life.
5. Worldly people judge greatness by external appearances, but I judge first and foremost
what is within a man-his desires and his efforts.
THINK:
Christ teaches me the greatest knowledge in all the universe- the knowledge of God's love
and man's true greatness. Christ's peace will be mine when I have received His knowledge
and have begun to live it in my daily life. People will no longer have power over my interior
dispositions because I will really belong to God. He will be my guiding light. My standards
for respecting people will be His standards. My eyes will be so fixed on Him that I shall
become less and less influenced by self-interest or human judgments.
PRAY:

O Jesus, You are the Truth of God! Amid the darkness of confused thinking and conflicting
ideas, Your light of Truth shines bright. Let my judgments never be influenced by the
people who disagree with Your standards. Though the world may laugh me to scorn, I will
fear no human judgments, as long as I loyally follow Your standards in my daily life. Too
often have I been guilty of selfishness, pride, and vanity in my own thoughts and judgments.
I looked at external appearances, visible results, and human recognition. You look at the
faith, love, and unselfish intentions in our actions. These are the virtues which make my
actions holy and make me like You. I hope to follow these standards from now on. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 9

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Spiritual Reading
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, reading and reflecting are a great help to your spiritual progress. My doctrine
is explained in many books, written under the supervision and guidance of My Church.
Some of these books are written simply, and some are very profound and learned. Choose
those which will help you most toward a greater understanding and appreciation of My
Truth. Do not read to impress others, but rather to be impressed yourself. Read so that you
may learn My way of thinking and of doing things.
2. Read the Holy Scripture, but be sure that it is a version approved by My Church. I
inspired the human authors of these holy writings, but I did not inspire the men who later
translated these works. My Church has the power to detect errors and inaccuracies wherever
My Truth is involved.
3. I promised to stand by My Church to the end of time. I said that the gates of hell would
never conquer Her, and that those who believe in Her would be saved. I never said that
Scripture alone was to guide anyone toward eternal life. In fact, through My Apostle Peter I
warned everyone that the Scriptures are not always easy to understand; nor do all men find
salvation in them. You can see the proof of this in the numberless opinions and beliefs
which separate so many sects from one another. If I agreed with all of them, I would be
contradicting Myself many times.
4. Follow the light which I left behind Me --My Church. Those who hear Her, hear Me.
Learn the truth which I have left in Her care. My truth will be a light to you in time of doubt
and worry. It will give you a wonderful mirror of life, to help you detect where sin may be
lurking and where greater virtue lies.
THINK:
Reading brings me many thoughts. It helps me to understand better what I already believe. It
keeps my outlook on life fresh and unconfused. It also keeps my enthusiasm alive. One who
does not read, is like a man who tries to live on the smallest possible amount of food and
sunshine. His spiritual life will eventually shrivel up and become anemic. It may even die
when a strong temptation comes along. I can read safely only when I follow the guidance of
Christ's Church. He has given Her power and authority to direct me in all matters of faith
and morals. I want to read, reflect, and pray a little each day so that I may follow Our Lord
more intelligently in my daily activities.
PRAY:
My Saviour, let me never become mechanical in my religious practices. You gave me so
much when You gave me Your Church. Through Her I can make my daily life ever richer.
Give me the wisdom to read and reflect often upon Your wonderful teachings. Grant me a
deep interest in Your holy truth, and a supernatural joy in learning more about life's most
important treasures. I desire to share Your outlook and viewpoint in the daily events of my
earthly life. I hope to understand You better by a more frequent reading of spiritual books.
Amen.

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FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE
CHAPTER 10
A Prayerful Disposition
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, many would like to live a more prayerful daily life. They desire the peace
which comes from a closer union with Me. Still, they will not do what it takes to reach this
heavenly peace.
2. Let Me tell you how to achieve this. Limit your activities to a few useful projects, and
abandon all useless interests. To do this you will have to control some of your present
desires. When you have limited your interests, you will have more time to turn your
attention to Me.
3. Then shall I teach you the wisdom of the saints and bestow on you the joy of the angels.
You will gradually become more conscious of My nearness, and you will learn to speak and
act differently in your daily life. The trials and troubles of earthly life will frighten you less
and less.
4. This deliberate separation from all useless interests is necessary for you if you are to
come closer to Me. Such interests are like chains around your mind. They tie down your
attention and prevent you from turning easily to Me throughout the day.
5. Too few know how to give Me their full attention for any length of time. Too many
people are continually absorbed in unnecessary distractions. Happy are the eyes which see
Me often throughout the day. Happy the ears which hear My voice above the distractions of
their daily activities.
THINK:
I really need to tear myself away from all needless activities and unnecessary distractions in
order to come closer to God in my daily life. God gives great graces to one who earnestly
strives to improve his daily contact with Heaven. That man will see more in this earthly life
than those who live mainly for this world's good things. As long as my mind and desires are
controlled by earthly interests, I shall find it difficult to reach God. I must take definite
measures to prefer God's company to human company. The struggle will become easier as I
come to know God better.
PRAY:
Lord, let Your holy grace fall on this sinful heart of mine, so that I may love most what is
most lovable, know best what is most important, and desire first what is most valuable. Let
me fear and hate whatever draws me away from You. I do not want to judge things as they
appear, but as they really help me to please You more. Teach me to pray. Help me to love
Your company and to seek it as often as possible. Make me aware of Your presence
throughout the day. Amen.

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FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE
CHAPTER 11
True Devotion to Christ
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, some people have Me on their lips, but not in their hearts. Some express their
devotion to Me with prayer books; some do it with holy pictures; and some do it with holy
images or external signs. Now all of these things are good, but they are no proof of true
devotion to Me. They are only a means to help men practice devotion. These holy objects
are useless if they do not influence your daily thoughts, words, and actions.
2. True devotion to Me is not a mere feeling, nor is it a passing emotion. It is an act of
respect and loyalty to Me. Genuine devotion consists of a personal attachment of your will
to Mine. It is a sincere intention to please Me in all things, a disregard of self in doing
whatever I desire of you. It draws you close to Me, not only in your thoughts and desires,
but also in your daily actions.
3. As you prove such devotion, I shall grant you still greater graces. Your mind will rise
more easily to heavenly thoughts. Your heart will strive more constantly after greater
virtues. You will advance daily in true perfection, thinking, speaking, and acting more like
Me.
4. My loyal followers gradually learn to get along with less and less of this world's good
things. They feel an urge to devote more time to good works and to prayer. They find that
time spent with Me is all too short, and they yearn for a more perfect union with Me.
THINK:
Though I may use books, pictures, and religious articles, I must never think that these
automatically make me holier. They are external helps to holiness. They can help me come
closer to God by reminding me of His presence and by arousing in me a greater desire to
please Him. If, however, these external objects do not affect my daily activities, I may as
well not have them. Wearing a crucifix will not save a man who refuses to be patient with
his daily trials. So too my devotions at home can never take the place of Sunday Mass. The
standard of true devotion was set by Jesus Himself: If you love Me, you will keep My
commandments. How am I living the commandments of Christ? That is the sure gauge of
my devotion to Him. Will I be foolish enough to think that I please God simply because I
say a certain number of prayers daily, or use certain religious articles, or even go to church
daily? Doing these things is only half of my spiritual life. The other half consists in showing
goodness and unselfishness in my dealings with people. One half without theother is
incomplete, and therefore unsatisfactory to God.

PRAY:
My Jesus, I want my daily life to be a fulfillment of all that you teach me through books,
prayers, and other religious objects. I desire to live what You tell me through the Church,
through the sacraments, and through my own interior life. My kindness, patience,

~ 122 ~
generosity, and unselfishness in my daily life will prove that I use religious articles because
I love You, and not for selfish or superstitious reasons. I want to use these articles to
improve my daily loyalty to Your holy Will. I will also use them to obtain Your blessings on
my daily occupations. Finally I will use them as a badge of loyalty to You, so that I may
remind others of You. Let me never separate my interior life from my external dealings with
people. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 12
Distractions in Daily Life
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, so often you kneel before Me only in body. In spirit you are somewhere else.
Many times you begin to think of Me or speak to Me, and then find yourself thinking of
other persons or things.
2. You say that these distractions come to you in spite of your good will. Let Me show you
how to deal with distractions, so that you may learn at last the secret of My loyal followers
Only action is the proof of sincerity. How sincerely do you desire to turn your attention to
Me throughout the day?
3. Distractions are thoughts, imaginations, feelings, and desires which hold your attention
longer than they deserve. At a time when you might direct your attention to Me or to some
profitable activity, you often find yourself fighting to keep control of your thoughts. These
distractions are due to the various experiences which you have in your daily life. By
diminishing these experiences, you will also lessen the number of your distractions.
True, you are obliged to give your attention to a number of people and attend to various
duties and needs throughout the day. Yet, you need not give your attention to these people
and things any more than is necessary. You could eliminate many a distraction without
neglecting the necessary obligations of your daily life. If you really want to become more
aware of My nearness to you throughout the day, you must do your part to gain so great a
favor. Begin at once to examine what comes between you and Me. See how many things
you can eliminate in your daily life without neglecting your duties and obligations. Unless
you make a determined effort to concentrate your attentions on Me, you will always be the
victim of distractions.
THINK:
Holy desires are Worthless unless they are put into action. The saints tried so hard to keep
their attention on God. They deliberately avoided all unnecessary distractions. They learned
how to fix their minds on holy things throughout the day. They knew how to enjoy God's
company True, I must give my attention to my duties and obligations. So often, however, I
give my attention to what is unnecessary. Is it any wonder that I find prayer
hard or strange? I want to begin today to avoid unnecessary distractions, so that I may think
more often of God and speak to Him more frequently throughout the day.

~ 123 ~
PRAY:
Dear Holy Spirit my God, please come to my assistance in this daily journey toward eternity
Let me see earthly pleasures according to their true value, without expecting too much from
them. Forgive me when my mind wanders in prayer, and grant me interior strength to avoid
unnecessary distractions. Show me how to recollect my thoughts and control my senses, and
let me forget worldly things when I am united with You in prayer. Whatever leads me away
from You is worthless and dangerous. You are my greatest treasure. In all my activities I
desire to be aware of Your nearness, so that I may live my earthly life in union with You.
Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 13
Striving for Devotion
CHRIST:
SON, the grace of devotion is not just a holy feeling, nor is it a religious mood. It is an
intelligent attachment of your will to Me and to whatever I command or desire of you.
2. This is a very great grace. I will grant it to you if you will make a sincere effort to turn
your back on whatever hinders your spiritual progress. You must empty your heart of all
useless interests in order to make room for Me.
3. Often it is such a small matter that prevents one from obtaining this grace. Misguided
self-interest cuts many people off from this glorious gift.
4. I desire you to have this grace. It will make you loyal to Me in all things. If you do not
have it yet, it is because you have not yet prepared your soul for it. Pray for it and labor for
it. Gain control of your feelings and unreasoning desires by acts of self-denial and self-
sacrifice. Above all, begin a determined battle against the outstanding faults in your daily
life.

5. With this grace of true devotion, you will find many things easy which now seem difficult
and impossible. You will never again lose sight of My power, wisdom, and love, and you
will consider it a privilege to follow My Will.
THINK:
If I make a firm and persevering effort to abandon my foolish love for unnecessary
distractions, God will give me the gift of devotion. From then on, I will have a steady
loyalty to Christ. I will no longer depend on feelings or moods, but will follow God's Will
intelligently and faithfully even when I do not feel like doing so.
PRAY:
My loyal and loving Saviour, you lived an earthly life of devotion to Your Father's Will. By
self-giving action You made reparation for my many acts of disobedience to His holy
commandments. By self-giving action You also proved Your love for me. You gave me an
~ 124 ~
example of true devotion. Grant me the grace of true and solid devotion to You, so that I
may prove my love for You by self-giving. No matter how I may feel, let me do only what is
pleasing to You. I desire not only to avoid all sin, but also to do many little extra things for
Your sake. Make my devotion like Yours-a constant self-offering which will prove my love
beyond all doubt. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 14
The Daily Path to Holiness
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, five your daily life in My presence by trying to be constantly aware of My
nearness to you. The more you strive to develop this virtue, the more I will help you to
acquire it. With this grace you will grow in love and kindness toward others. Your faults
will become smaller and less frequent, and your goodness will shine before the world.
2. This daily labor for virtue requires a continual effort. You must go on trying, like a man
swimming against the current. To stop trying, even for a little while, is to lose ground.
Without a determined and constant effort there will be no progress.
3. Do not be afraid of work, inconvenience, or suffering. My way to Heaven was the way of
prayer, work, and suffering. My love is symbolized by the cross and My pierced heart. Let
your love for Me use the same symbols. Live a life of prayer, work, and suffering. As I
chose to make personal sacrifices for you in My daily life, so too should you seek daily
opportunities to make personal sacrifices for Me.
THINK:
To earn Heaven I must become God-like in my daily life. It seems so impossible. Yet God
Himself wants to lead me on toward this goal. A lively consciousness of God's presence will
help me to control and direct my likes and dislikes. Gradually there will be less and less
unguarded moments, less slips into my old faults. I shall gradually come to see God's Will in
every event that comes along. God desires to grant me this wonderful grace. I must prepare
myself for it by beginning today to practice acts of faith in God's presence, and acts of self-
offering in my daily activities. Too many people make a feeble effort to improve
themselves, and then give up because of repeated failures. Others claim they feel too small
and unworthy of such a gift from God. Their real reason, however, is not a virtuous one.
They are afraid of the effort required or the sacrifice involved. It is God who wants me to
aim this high. It is therefore my duty to follow His Will by trying my best over and over
again.
PRAY:
My Jesus, help me to become aware of Your nearness to me throughout the day. I do not
wish to fail You. You want me to aim at the highest perfection. You said: Be perfect as
your heavenly Father is perfect! That means I must never feel that I am good enough, no
matter how virtuous I may become. I intend to start trying today, trying to be more like You
~ 125 ~
in everything I do. You are my Model because You also said: He that sees Me, sees the
Father also. You are the perfect image of Your heavenly Father. By imitating You, I shall
become more God-like. My efforts will be much easier if I can become constantly aware of
Your nearness to me throughout the day. Grant me this wonderful grace, so that I may
become what You desire, a true man of God. In this way every moment of my earthly life
will be a step toward Heaven's perfect fife. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 15
Human Hurts
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, what is man that you should fear his contempt or insults? Today he seems so
strong and powerful, and tomorrow he will be laid in his coffin. Fear only sin, and stand by
Me. Human words and even injuries are not as terrible as they seem. My martyrs, who now
shine forth in heavenly glory, can tell you how true this is.
2. The harsh critics and the persecutor hurt themselves far more than they hurt their victims.
They shall not escape My judgment. I will deal with them as they dealt with their fellow
man. Do not seek revenge against them by word or deed. Leave them to Me, without
wishing them any harm.
3. If the criticism and fault-finding of others confuse and discourage you, turn to Me and let
Me strengthen you with patience. I shall relieve you in your confusion and injury.
4. Remember too that this suffering may well be offered to Me as a reparation for your many
sins against Me. This consideration will make you more willing to be despised and forsaken
by people. You will then find strength to bear this present trial in peace.
At times it is good for you to suffer opposition and to have people think ill of you and slight
you, even when you mean well. This is often a valuable means for gaining humility and
patience. Then will you call on Me to judge what goes on within you as you realize the
unreliability of human judgments and friendships.
THINK:
As long as I live among human beings, I must expect misunderstandings, differences of
opinion, criticism, and even bad will. Different people will treat me differently. I tend to
treat others as they treat me. If I do this, I shall be making a mistake. Jesus wants me to treat
everyone kindly, patiently, and unselfishly, for His sake. He wants me to see not them, but
Him. He will say at the last judgment, You did it to Me. People may think me a fool for
not seeking an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but Jesus wants me to forgive and pray
for those who hurt me. If I find this too hard, I need only think of what He has done to
forgive me my sins and draw me toward Heaven.
PRAY:
My loving and all-wise Saviour, You lowered Yourself to the ground to make up for my
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many sins. You even asked the Father to forgive me as You hung in agony on the cross. Am
I greater than You that I should resent the unkind ways of those around me? In making up
for my sins, You embraced many of the human trials which I resent in my daily life. Will I
refuse to be like You by my impatience with the human faults around me? Besides, I should
not forget my sins. I can offer these trials in reparation for the selfishness which I have
shown You in my daily sins and imperfections. Grant me the wisdom to see this truth, and
give me the love to follow it. I shall fear no man's words or judgments as much as I fear my
own pride and selfishness. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 16

A Higher Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, the more you desire the glory of Heaven, the less will you care for the good
things of this life. The glory and praises of men are all too short. They are imperfect and
dissatisfying in one way or another. Your greatest praise and glory on earth will come not
from people, but from a good conscience.
2. When you have the grace to live this truth, you will look peacefully on many things which
trouble the worldly man. You will see others esteemed and honored, but you will go
unnoticed. Others will succeed in their efforts, while you taste failure and disappointment.
Others will speak and impress their hearers, whereas your words will make little or no
impression. Others will ask and obtain their request, but you will ask in vain. Others will be
trusted with some responsibility, and you will be overlooked as though incapable.
3. True, your human pride will rebel at such treatment. To bear it in silence is no mean
accomplishment. Yet, I want you to rise even higher than this. I want you to draw closer to
My heart and taste a bit of My power and love. Then will you rise above the desires and
ambitions of this earthly life. You will disregard your own conveniences and
inconveniences. You will be so eager to do more for Me, that you will take with joy what
you once avoided and despised. As you grow in this higher love for Me, you will come to
forget all self-consideration. You will eventually love Me so much as to despise self.
THINK:
If the saints are examples of this higher virtue, then it is true that the love of Jesus makes
one desire ever more of suffering and contempt. This higher love makes a man took for the
cross in daily life and embrace it heartily. The Apostles actually rejoiced when they suffered
humiliation and contempt for Jesus' sake. They were happy to embrace what most men fear
and avoid. I cannot quite appreciate this great grace now, but I should pray for it. Moreover,
in my daily life, I can at least try to be glad when little contradictions, reproaches, failures,
and the like come to me.
PRAY:

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Dearest Lord, this higher love is possible only if I place You above all other desires. Many
do this in their words, but too few actually do it in their daily life. I will not feel hurt at
being unnoticed by others, if I want to be noticed only by You. It is because I do not really
see You as my highest Treasure that I sin by anger, resentment, envy, and vanity in these
human trials of everyday life. I desire to begin at last to do my daily tasks for You alone,
and to seek only Your thanks, appreciation, and love. Let humans deal with me as they will.
As long as I have Your friendship, my life will be an eternal success. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 17
Recalling the Sufferings of Jesus
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do you wish to know the secret of My saints? Would you like to understand
how they could suffer so many things in peace, and even with joy? They meditated often on
My trials and sufferings. By burying themselves in My life, they drew strength for many
trials. They placed their hearts within Mine and were filled with a love which could bear all
things for My sake.
2. Come to Me and enter into My heart. You will find strength and comfort in your daily
trials and sufferings. You will no longer mind being slighted and neglected by people. You
will face evil tongues and bad will with a calm and peaceful soul.
3. All this will you do because you know Me and understand My life. I too, was despised by
men in My earthly life. In My hour of greatest need, while My enemies mocked and insulted
Me, I was abandoned by My friends. For love of you I consented to be despised and to
suffer an untold agony. Will you, then, dare to complain when you have to bear similar
things? I had enemies who said many evil things against Me. Can you, then, grieve because
you do not enjoy the friendship and good will of everyone? How can you be a true follower
of Mine, if you will not carry My cross? Those who wish to reign with Me, must suffer and
fight with Me.
THINK:
This is the secret of the saints. They were so deeply in love with Jesus that they wished to
share His life. They wanted to be His friends not merely in His glory, but also in His battles
and trials. If I want to be a friend of Jesus, I too must be with Him in suffering and in trials. I
must not feel sorry for myself, nor even consider myself. This I can do in my daily life. I
need not consider the people who make my life harder. I should see only a glorious
opportunity to suffer something for the love of Jesus.
PRAY:
My loving Saviour, I desire to be a true friend of yours as You have been, and are, my truest
and best friend. Let me drink Your bitter Chalice as You drank it for my sake. I wish to
forget self and leave all consolation in Your hands. For myself I ask only that I may
carefully bear whatever trials and sufferings come to me this day. You deserve all that I can
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bear, and more. Nor will I forget that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be
compared with the glory that is to come. Let me offer you all of my heart. It is little enough!
Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 18
Man's Daily Cross
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I had to bear many trials throughout My earthly life. Knowing this, how can
you seek rest and pleasure for yourself on earth? Believe Me, it is a great mistake to expect
anything else but suffering and hardship in this life! Man's earthly life is full of miseries and
crosses. Wherever you turn, you will find a cross.
2. If you carry it willingly, you will find greater strength in the cross, and it will lead you
towards Heaven. If you bear it unwillingly, you only make it a greater burden than it already
is; and you still have to bear it. One who runs away from the cross is only running toward
another cross, perhaps a heavier one.
3. There is no other road to Heaven except the way of the cross. No man can escape his
cross. Even My saints went through their earthly life, burdened by the cross. Not a single
hour of My earthly life was free of the cross. I entered into My glory by suffering and dying
upon the cross. Do not fear the cross. I shall help you to bear it.
THINK:
As I embrace my daily cross, I shall find Jesus standing on the other side of it, waiting to
help me carry it. I shall not have to carry it alone. My daily life is a partnership with Jesus.
He walks every step of it with me. As He proved His love for me by embracing His cross, so
do I prove my love for Him by embracing my daily trials. True, I may always try to solve
my daily problems and remedy my troubles. When, however, my efforts have failed, I
should not lose my self-control by impatience, anger, or rebellion against God's Will. Nor
need I seek to avoid all of the trials which come my way. At times I can deliberately allow
myself to endure things or people who annoy me, at least a bit longer than I would naturally
like. The more I grow in genuine love for Jesus, the less will I fear or resent the cross.
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, my crucified King, let me never fail to recognize Your banner-the cross. You
said, If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,
and follow Me. Your words are clear. If I love the cross, I am a true follower of Yours. If I
refuse it by anger, impatience, fault-finding, criticism of superiors, and unkindness, I am no
true follower of Yours. Grant me the light to recognize Your cross when people and events
annoy and disturb me. Let me consider the situation, try to remedy it if necessary, but at all
times face it with Christ-like self-control. Each moment of the day, I wish to be aware of
Your nearness. When trials come, I wish to handle them as You did in Your earthly life. In
union with You I hope to make this life of mine a daily act of love for You. Amen.
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FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE
CHAPTER 19
Desiring the Cross
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, to bear your daily cross, to actually love it, to gain control over your body by
punishing it, to avoid honors, to desire insults, to despise yourself and to want others to
despise you, to bear all trials and disappointments with peace of soul, to desire no prosperity
in this world - all of this is not natural to any normal human being. One who has these
desires and follows them out, is either abnormal, or he is putting on a show to get admiration
or some other human satisfaction, or else he is receiving the higher wisdom of divine grace.
2. Without My grace, such spiritual victories over self are impossible. Your weak human
nature could not rise to such heights of supernatural virtue. My grace brings you a strength
unknown to the worldly man. With this strength you can gain control over your pride and
earthly self-seeking.
3. Be a good and loyal soldier of Mine. Be determined to embrace your cross for love of Me.
I warn you now that if you are resolved to prove your love for Me, you can only do it by
embracing your daily cross of annoyances, labors, disappointments, opposition, and even
different forms of persecution. The higher you rise in true and solid virtue, the more easily
will you recognize your crosses and embrace them. In fact, as your love for Me grows, so
too will your love for the cross.

4. When I feel that I can trust you with a heavier cross, I will give it to you. Fear not,
however, for I will never burden you beyond your strength. With these heavier crosses I will
be offering you greater glory and happiness in Heaven.
THINK:
My strength to bear the cross will come from the cross itself. I need only prepare my soul
for it by prayer and self-training. I should practice little acts of self-denial in preparation for
the unexpected trial which will soon come. Then, as I am faced with the trial, Jesus will help
me understand its higher value. He will show me how I can draw closer to Him by
embracing this cross with patience and self-forgetfulness. The more selflessly I embrace my
daily crosses, the more shall I find in them wisdom, understanding, love, and supernatural
strength. I shall see through the emptiness of earthly satisfactions and pretense. My self-
sacrifices will bring me a firmer love for Jesus, and I shall gradually find it easier to suffer
my daily trials for His sake. In fact, if I generously follow these graces, I may even receive
grace to desire a heavier cross for love of Jesus.
PRAY:
My crucified King, I kneel now at the foot of Your cross, and consider the heavenly lesson
which You teach from there. In Your suffering I shall learn how I, too, should embrace my
daily crosses, in order to make reparation for my sins, become more fit for higher graces,
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and offer to You a love purified of selfishness and self-consideration. You deserve such
devotion from me. True, my human nature shudders at the thought of suffering any insults,
criticisms, mockery, failures, disappointments, and pain. With the higher wisdom and
strength which I shall gain through my present crosses, I shall prepare myself for still greater
ones. You alone can perform this glorious change within me. I hope for it, with the help of
Your holy grace. Amen.

FOLLOWING JESUS IN DAILY LIFE

CHAPTER 20
Benefits of the Cross
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when you have come to know the full value of the cross, it will no longer be
such a puzzle to you, nor will you ever again seek to avoid it. You will then see it as a
valuable help for many spiritual gifts right here on earth. You will embrace your daily trials
with joy.
2. In the cross you will find a deep interior peace and joy. You will understand why those
who hate or fear the cross are to be pitied. The cross will bring you a clear mind which will
see the heavenly value of what you are enduring. The cross will help you to think straight.
You will look on the cross as a ladder raising you up toward Me. Your mental and spiritual
health will be excellent because you will be free from fear, confusion, and discontent. In the
daily cross you will find a fuller life, a deep sense of My nearness to you, and of your daily
progress toward Heaven. Temptations cannot shake one who truly loves the cross.

3. If there were anything on earth better than the cross, would I not have chosen it? The
cross, more than anything else, will enrich your soul with many virtues on earth, and
countless merits in Heaven. The cross will best prepare you for your last and most important
examination. No man can be sure of his own true worth until he has learned to recognize and
embrace the cross in his daily life. That is why I commanded: If anyone wishes to come
after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.
Never forget for a moment this truth: Through many trials will you enter into the eternal
kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, take up your cross daily and follow Me.
THINK:
I must never forget that Jesus' life on earth was a protest against all blind human pride and
selfishness. These are my worst enemies. Therefore, I must embrace my daily cross as a
protection against pride and selfishness. Secondly, Jesus embraced His cross as an example
of true virtue. He followed His Father's Will in preference to His own human will.
Therefore, I must do likewise when my daily life is disagreeable or difficult. Thirdly, He
died for me to prove His personal love for me. In embracing my daily cross, I shall prove
my personal love for Jesus.
PRAY:

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Lord Jesus, since Your way is narrow and despised by the world, grant me the privilege of
walking this way unafraid of the hardship and unaffected by the contempt of worldly people.
You said that the servant is not greater than his master. Help me live as You did each day. In
this way alone shall I reach my true perfection on earth and my eternal happiness in Heaven.
I refuse to be attracted by anything else in my daily life. I now accept my daily cross from
Your hands. I embrace it with the desire to bear it gladly for the rest of my life. Grant me
vision to see You instead of the people involved in my daily trials. Give me strength to go
on when my feelings rebel and seek to escape the daily cross. I hope to live this daily life in
union with You, my divine Model and King. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 21
Faith
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, he who believes My words possesses the truth. I have spoken to the world;
firstly, through man's conscience, secondly through the Prophets, thirdly, through My
personal life on earth, and finally through My Church.
2. My Church continues My work on earth. Her voice is My voice, and Her authority was
given to Her by Me. He that heareth you, heareth Me, I told My Apostles. They still carry
on My work through their legitimate successors. The Scriptures and the Traditions would
have been subject to errors and misinterpretations, if I had not left an infallible Church.
3. Do not be surprised if you cannot understand all that I teach. As the intelligence of adults
is greater than that of a child, so too is My Divine Intelligence far above that of mortal men.
4. He who believes only what he can understand is limiting himself to a very small portion
of the Truth which I revealed. Human reason is weak, and it may be deceived in many
things, That is why I told My Church to teach what I have commanded, promising to
preserve Her from error. Had I not made these promises, you would have no way of being
sure that you are following My words correctly. Only to My Church did I grant a guarantee
from error. He that heareth you, heareth Me, I told My Apostles. The world today needs
that guarantee more than ever. And therefore My promise still stands.
5. I do not demand great intelligence. I ask only for faith in My words and loyalty to My
Will. I will not deny My grace to any man who is willing to pray and labor for My gift of
faith.
THINK:
God wants faith and a holy life. Whatever I cannot understand, I can safely believe on His
word. He cannot deceive me because He is the Fountain of all truth. When I take God's
word, I am performing the most intelligent act possible to man. I can learn God's thoughts
and holy Will by learning the doctrines and commands which His Son placed in His holy
Church. Christ speaks to me through His Church. He teaches me His unerring view of life
and offers me His holy peace. In His sacraments He gives me His own heavenly strength to
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avoid what is wrong and to do what is right.
PRAY:
God of truth, can I ever doubt what You have revealed through Your Divine Son? Jesus has
brought me Your message. Moreover, He has preserved that message from error and
misunderstanding in the Church which He founded. Through His Church He has promised
to speak to me and to guide me on toward eternal life. Let me never tire of learning ever
more and more about Your holy truth. Make me eager to use Your holy sacraments as often
as possible. Only when I fail to use these heavenly gifts, does the battle for Heaven become
too difficult. Let me prove my faith by a continual effort to know You better and serve You
more perfectly in my daily life. Grant that I may make full use of Your wonderful gift to me-
the Church. May I never be so foolish as to depend only on my small human knowledge and
strength in the daily combat for Heaven. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 22
Gratitude for God's Gifts
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, let gratitude never leave your heart. You have no idea how much you owe to
Me. After giving you each moment of life, I offer you mercy when you sin. I send you My
grace to arouse you to penance for your sins and to fight against future temptations. All this
I do for you because I love you. I desire to raise you up to a heavenly glory, though of
yourself you are nothing.
2. Man's greatest ingratitude is his ingratitude to Me, since he owes Me absolutely
everything in his life. No one else can ever deserve the thanks which you owe to Me.
Ingratitude can prevent Me from granting you still greater favors.
3. An ungrateful man will never use My gifts as well as he might. Only when you keep your
eyes on Me will you make the best use of My gifts. The man who enjoys My gifts without
considering the Giver, will sooner or later fall into sin. As soon as he forgets about his
complete dependence on Me, he begins to make too much of himself.
4. Be a man of truth. Refuse to live a lie. Be grateful for each gift of Mine. Do not consider
yourself worthy of anything. Remember that without Me you are nothing. Be grateful to the
Divine Goodness that called you into being.
5. Let your gratitude extend to all things in life, even to the less pleasant and more difficult
things which I may send you. I have planned your life with My wisdom and love. All things
are meant to help you in one way or another.
THINK:
If I began to count the things which I owe to God, I would never finish counting, because
each added moment of life is another gift. The best gratitude which I can offer Him is to use
His gifts properly. He has given me intelligence to do this. When my intelligence is
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uncertain, I can consult His Church. Obedience to His holy Will is my best gratitude. Every
sin is an act of ingratitude for the particular gifts which I am misusing at the moment.
PRAY:
My Creator and Father, earthly parents, with their love and care for their children, are but an
imperfect image of You, the all-loving Father of all. Each second of our lives is a loving gift
of Yours. You watch over us, help us, and keep us in existence each moment of the day and
night. Instead of an occasional Thank You, we ought to shout it with every breath. We can
do this best by obeying Your holy Will in all that we do. Grant us the wisdom of gratitude,
so that we may one day receive from You the greatest gift of all-the happiness
and joy of Heaven. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 23
The Supernatural Virtue of Hope
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, one of the most wonderful virtues in your soul is the virtue of hope. I placed it
there as a tiny seed at your baptism. It was to grow and help you through life's trials and
difficulties. This is the virtue which makes you desire Me as the Highest Good. It inspires
you to look forward to Heaven's unending joys, and confidently expect from Me whatever
help is needed to gain eternal life.
2. This virtue calms all fears and worries about your salvation. It helps you look to My
power, see My goodness, and rely upon My love. It makes you firm and confident when
doubts and difficulties tempt you to turn away from Me in despair. Supernatural hope makes
you expect My help in your daily efforts to live a good life.
3. This heavenly gift of hope, however, is incomplete without your sincere daily effort to
fulfill My Will in your daily life. He who expects to gain eternal happiness without doing
his part, is guilty of the sin of presumption.
4. Hope makes your prayers more effective. I cannot refuse one who firmly and confidently
expects My assistance in his real needs. The man of hope wants only what is really
necessary for his final success. Even when he prays for an earthly favor, he wants it only if it
will improve him or the person for whom he prays. The perfection of this virtue is a
complete self-surrender to My wisdom in all matters.
5. The supernatural virtue of hope gives vision to the mind, strength to the will, courage to
the heart, and endurance to the body. It makes one sure of victory because he relies upon
Me, the all-knowing, all-powerful, all loving God. This wonderful virtue brings a sense of
security to the soul. Work out your salvation in hope and fear not, for I shall never fail you.
THINK:
St. Paul says that We are saved by hope. How true I With such a virtue in my soul, how
can I be lost? I will turn to God with a firm confidence. I Will place my life in His hands by
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embracing all of His commandments, and by fulfilling His Will, even when it is
disagreeable or difficult. God will not be outdone in generosity. He will supply whatever
strength is necessary for this. Once I develop this holy virtue of hope within me, I shall
know at last what it means to be free of fears and doubts. I shall then possess the peace of
God.
PRAY:
O God of love, all Powerful and all wise, I turn to You today in hope. I want to be Yours, as
You Yourself want me to be, Let me prove My sincerity by doing whatever is necessary to
obtain this holy favor. You want to give me the supernatural strength to become ever more
perfect in my daily life. You will never deny me whatever is truly necessary for my highest
success. I desire to begin at last to live a life of loyalty to Your wonderful plan. If I look
toward Heaven in my daily activities, many things Will become easier. Sadness,
discouragement, fear, and despair will never torment me. Lord, show me the way. I long to
follow Your holy Will, along this road to peace and heavenly glory. True, You may lead me
along rough paths at times, but I must not forget that my final destination is well worth the
trouble. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 24
Man's Main Hope
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as long as you are on earth, you will have to make use of food, rest, medicine,
recreation, companionship, etc. However, do not make the mistake of considering these
natural things as the only remedies of your various needs. Otherwise you will place too
much hope in them, and expect more from them than they can give you.
2. Only from Me may you expect perfect, all satisfying happiness. Be wise and place your
greatest hope in Me. I am the Maker and Preserver of all things. Nothing could help you if I
did not give it the power to do so. Whether or not you realize it, I am your Highest Good.
Without Me there is no lasting good, no enduring happiness.
3. If you hope in Me above all else, you will not be disappointed. I shall not fail you in what
is truly best for you. Do not place too much hope in any person or thing on earth. Use
whatever you can honestly obtain to improve your earthly life, but do not live as though this
life were the only life.
4. I am your Creator and Redeemer. Place your main hope in Me. Follow My Will as
perfectly as you can, and when earthly friends and remedies fail you, do not despair. I shall
not fail you. Stand by Me, and I will help you reach the all-satisfying success of Heaven.
THINK:
Hope keeps men ever striving in this earthly life. So often they find disappointment and

~ 135 ~
dissatisfaction in things which they had desired so eagerly. Yet with renewed hope they re-
direct their efforts toward other objects, still seeking the satisfaction which they have failed
to find. Too often men limit their vision. They do not see that nothing can ever give them the
slightest degree of satisfaction unless God gives it the power to do so. I should never lose
sight of this fact, but I must look to Him with gratitude and with hope in all my needs. God
has perfect control over all things at all times, and I receive them as from His hand. My
main hope must be God. I can accomplish this by making intelligent use of all that I have
and all that comes my way each day. In this way I shall prove that I treasure God more than
all earthly goods, and that I hope to be with Him forever in Heaven.
PRAY:
Lord, no matter how unworthy I may feel, I hope to be with You in Heaven some day. I
place all of my hope in You, relying on Your goodness, wisdom, and love. Help me to prove
this hope by a loyal following of Your holy Will in all that happens to me today. I will deal
with all things and events as You desire: that is, without pride, impatience, or any other form
of selfishness. I will use whatever I need with the intention Of pleasing You rather than
pleasing myself alone. In my use of earthly remedies, I will not forget that Your holy Will is
Still governing every move I make. Never will You abandon those who hope in You. In You
I place all of my hopes. Do with me as You see fit, since no one knows and seeks my
welfare more than You. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 25
Trust in God
CHRIST:
SON, all men must have some friend in whom they can place their confidence and trust.
Without such a friend you cannot live happily. The more that friend means to you, the
greater will be the happiness which he brings you.
2. What human friend can ever mean as much to you as I do? Who thinks of you as much as
I do? Consider how much I have done for you, and you will easily understand that I am your
truest friend.
3. To neglect Me is to neglect Him Whom you need most and Who loves you most. When
you trust in humans without considering My place in your life, you are building on sand. All
intelligence, strength, and every good thing are My gifts. Without these gifts you are
nothing, and your life is a wasted effort.
4. Your human friends can fail you, at least by their inability to help you in all things. Their
judgments can be quite mistaken, and they can lead you astray even when they wish to help
you. You will find perfect and unfailing friendship only in Me, and in My angels and saints.
Let your greatest trust and confidence be in Me at all times.

THINK:

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Humans are so often fooled by appearances. Some people are impressed only by visible
results. Their praise is worthless because they fail to see the inner goodness of others. Or
again they do not realize how brief are the trials and joys of this present life. Am I that
shallow or do I try to follow God's way of thinking? Is my trust in Him shaken by the
judgments of worldly-minded people? It is never God Who lets me down, but it is I who fail
Him. I refuse to trust in Him completely by letting Him govern my daily life as He wishes.
As a result I find myself slipping or failing in life's greatest achievement-the daily battle for
goodness and holiness.
PRAY:
My God, what greater folly is there than to think that I can manage my daily life without
Your guidance and assistance? Yet, on many occasions I do just that. I go about my business
without consulting You. You are my surest refuge and my glory, my hope and all- powerful
Helper. Without You I am truly nothing, and my life is a wasted effort. Only with Your help
can I hope to reach Heaven's eternal success. Let me never again waver in my confidence.
No person, no thing, no event, will ever again shake my trust in You. I shall esteem my
friends for what they are worth, but never will I think more of them than of You. My loyalty
shall be first to Your holy Will and then to all others. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 26
Trust in Divine Providence
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, everything on earth needs My support in order to continue in existence. Not for
a single moment can I withdraw My power from anything. If I did, it would vanish into the
nothingness from which I created it. I provide for all things from the moment they begin to
exist, so that they may accomplish their purpose.
2. I am the Fountain of all good, the Power of all life, the Depth of all knowledge. To trust in
Me is your highest wisdom and deepest consolation.
3. The more you see of earthly consolation, the more you will realize how limited, brief, and
imperfect it is.
4. When you have learned to place your main hope and confidence in Me alone, you will
enjoy the peace of a pure heart. Do not merely talk of Me as your one great hope. Prove
your sincerity and virtue by a firm trust in My wisdom and assistance, no matter what
happens in your daily life.
5. Prove your complete confidence in Me by setting no conditions and making no
reservations. Want what I want for you. Prefer My decisions for you in all things. I will send
only what is best for you.
THINK:

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God cannot want anything except what is best for me. He made me only for one reason, to
give me the all-satisfying happiness which my heart craves. My mistake lies in thinking with
a worldly outlook. I do not always realize that the good things of this life are but imperfect
reflections of God. They are tiny hints of the good things which God has prepared for those
who truly love Him. Hence it is the height of wisdom for me to place my life in His hands
and to leave it there. This means that I will do my best each day to live intelligently, seeking
what is right and good, and avoiding what is wrong and sinful. I will not be over-anxious to
get what is beyond my reach, nor will I foolishly fight against what I cannot avoid. God will
see that I get what is truly best for me. As long as I am doing what is humanly possible, I
may be sure that God will not let me suffer anything which is not good for me in the long
run.
PRAY:
Father of mercies, my loving God, to You I lift up my eyes, and in Your hands I place my
life with all its cares, labors, duties, joys, and sorrows. My trust will always be in You above
all else. Let me never displease You by fears, worries, or self pity. You are taking care of
Me in all that occurs each day. You love me so much more than I realize. Guide my
thoughts, words, and actions this day and every day of my earthly life. I hope to follow Your
holy Will as it comes to me in life's daily circumstances and events. Though I must use
things to better myself and to solve my problems, I will never rely on them as though they
were my only refuge. I want to see You behind everything which I use. I desire to see you
leading me on toward eternal glory in all that happens to me this day. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 27
The Virtue of Charity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, at your baptism I placed the virtue of charity in your soul, expecting you to
develop it after you had reached the age of reason. This is the virtue which causes you to
love Me above all things for My own sake. It also enables you to love others for My sake.
2. This virtue is your highest perfection. There is no greater achievement in human life than
to love Me, the Supreme Good. No natural love can compare with the supernatural love of
charity. Charity loves what is best, and it loves for the highest reason. The man of charity
loves Me above all else because I am the Highest Good.
3. Charity makes a man more God-like. You read in Scripture that God is Love. By
charity you become like Me, loving all that is right and good.
4. Charity is the perfection of all other love. It reaches out to My perfect goodness and
places Me first among its preferences. Even in his love for created things, the man of charity
seeks them because they help him come closer to Me in daily life. He no longer accepts any
person or thing according to his likes and dislikes, but according to their goodness; that is,
according to their ability to draw his thoughts and desires more firmly toward Me. He
prefers those persons and things which help him please Me most.
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5. Develop this holy virtue in your daily life. Do it firstly by keeping My commandments,
secondly by honoring Me frequently in private prayers and acts of public worship, thirdly by
dealing unselfishly with people for My sake.
6. True, you have to protect yourself against the selfishness and bad will of people on earth,
but in so doing beware of being bitter, inconsiderate, or unjust toward them. For My sake
wish everyone well, and as far as you are able, help those in need. In this way you will prove
that you possess genuine charity in your soul.
THINK:
At baptism charity was planted as a seed in my soul. As I reached the age of reason and
learned of God's holy gift, I was expected to develop it by a continual effort to use it. My
efforts plus God's further graces make the seed of charity grow within me. How have I used
this precious gift? Without charity all other virtues lose their supernatural value. This means
that I cannot gain Heaven until I have learned to practice charity in my daily life. As I
advance in this virtue I become more like God, thinking and acting more and more like Him.
I must begin today living as Jesus would live this life of mine. In spite of many failures, I
must go on trying.

PRAY:
My God, You desire to make me eternally great. You want me to reflect Your perfection in
my daily thoughts, words, and actions. May I begin at long last to be a reflection of Your
love in everything I think, say and do. I desire to be patient, kind, thoughtful, helpful, and
long suffering, just as You have been with me, a sinner. In spite of my selfish nature, I want
to love You as You deserve. In all things let me never forget Your wisdom and goodness, so
that I may always consider and follow what pleases You. My model in all this is Jesus, Your
divine Son. He is the model of perfect charity. Let me strive each day to become more like
Him and less like myself. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 28
The Effects of Charity in Daily Life
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when true charity fills your soul, it brings many wonderful effects into your
daily life. These effects are due to the fact that charity looks for Me in all things. In his
desire for a more perfect union with Me, the charitable man seeks to be more like Me in his
daily life.
2. Since love always seeks to express itself in some form of self-sacrifice, the charitable man
seeks to offer his attention and help to his fellowmen for My sake. Following My words,
You did it to Me, he seeks to serve Me in the people who need his help.
3. The man of charity is patient in many circumstances which arouse others to anger or
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disgust. He refuses to become impatient because he is keenly aware of My great patience
with him and with all sinners. In his love for Me he prefers to reflect My patience and
meekness, rather than anger or revenge. When compelled to defend his rights, he does so
without harshness or meanness.
4. His kindness brings confidence and encouragement to those who are afraid or
downhearted. Others never hesitate to ask for his assistance because they know that he will
not willingly refuse.
5. The charitable man never envies those who have more earthly goods, greater talents, or
better success. He is content to possess My love and to accept My Will in all things.
6. In his dealings with others he is considerate and fair, because he is not over-eager for his
own gain. His love for Me has freed him from all unreasonable ambition and from the vain
desire to appear better than others.
7. One whose heart is filled with true charity refuses to judge others rashly. He prefers to
believe good of others rather than evil. When people do him wrong, the charitable man is
more pained at the offense to Me than at the harm done to himself.
8. The holy virtue of charity makes one so honest that he can admit the truth, even when it
points out his limitations and defects. True charity makes one humble enough to face all
facts, even disagreeable ones.
9. These are some of the effects flowing from genuine charity. When this divine virtue is
earnestly developed, it fosters many other virtues needed in daily life. The way of charity is
the shortest to God because it is the fastest way to Christian perfection. If you strive to
develop this glorious virtue in your daily life, you may rest assured that you are walking
toward eternal life each moment of the day.
THINK:
The charitable man is the most perfect reflection of God on earth. When he is near, those
around him feel a certain awareness of God's presence. His love for God overflows in his
soul and touches the hearts of those around him. Being charitable means being a saint. This
is the answer to my dreams of success. I can become an eternal success. By my unselfish
charity I can draw closer to God in my earthly life, and I can also bring others closer to Him.
I can earn the eternal glory of helping others gain Heaven. Through charity I can do most for
God, most for my fellowmen, and most for myself.
PRAY:
Dear Lord of love, You are continually giving Your assistance to me and to all things
created. Every moment of existence is a gift from You. I can rise to my highest glory by
imitating You. The more I give of myself for Your sake, the more will I resemble You. My
greatest proof of love for You will be this effort to become more God-like, since this is Your
greatest desire for me. Grant me the grace to favor You in the future as consistently as I
have favored myself in the past. Take the place of self in my thoughts, desires, and actions. I
ask only that I may never become so rash as to follow my own will, not even in this holy
desire to prove my love for You. The higher I aim, the more obedient must I be to my
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spiritual director. Otherwise the devil will succeed in drawing me away from You through
some foolish extreme. Lord, make me generous enough to try, and humble enough to follow
direction in an honest daily effort to give myself entirely to You. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 29
Daily Growth in Charity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, without the virtue of charity, all other virtues lose their supernatural value.
What good will it do you to believe in Me, or to hope in Me, if you do not love Me?
2. This love must be shown in a sincere daily effort to please Me, no matter how
disagreeable the task at hand. In fulfilling My Will, you achieve your highest perfection and
your greatest good. In all things I lead you toward what is truly best for you.
3. When you consider that I have given you everything that you are and have, you should
not find it difficult to love Me. A frequent consideration of My numberless benefits will help
you draw closer to Me in gratitude. This gratitude will bring you a desire to please Me more
in your daily life. If you follow this desire, you will be proving your love for Me.
4. As you advance in this love of gratitude, I shall grant you still higher graces. I shall help
you understand Me better. As you come to know Me more intimately, you will appreciate
more and more My boundless goodness. You will gradually surrender yourself more
completely to My Will. You will no longer permit yourself to resent My Will, but you will
finally be convinced that I seek only what is good for you. Your love of gratitude will be
transformed into a higher love, the love of friendship.
5. In this higher level of perfection, you will rise above yourself. You will no longer
sympathize with your unreasoning desires when they seek to disregard My Will. You will
control your feelings toward the people in your daily life. Whatever good you do them, you
will do it for the best reason-you will do it for Me.
THINK:
If I give God's grace a chance, following its inspirations throughout my daily life, I shall
grow in perfection each day. My charity will aim higher and higher, eventually rising above
the natural attractions and distractions which now draw me away from God in my daily
activities. I shall gradually rise from my present imperfect love of God to a purer love. My
good deeds will be done more and more with an appreciation of His boundless goodness. I
need only begin this day to offer my activities to God, and to renew my intention from time
to time so as to prevent selfish motives from stealing into my soul. In God's own good time,
He will raise me up to that perfection which He desires to bestow upon me.
PRAY:
O God of love, Generosity is Your name. Who has ever been as generous with me as You
have? Wherever I look, I see Your gifts. Whatever I do, I am using Your gifts. What shall I
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do for You, Who have done so much for me? Since this will please You above all else, I
want to purify my love for You. I shall do my best to make better use of the many graces
which You send me each day. I desire to rise from a love of gratitude to a love of friendship.
I long for the day when I shall live this earthly life of mine mainly to please You. Whatever
my daily obligations may be, I want to do them chiefly for You, my all- deserving God.
Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 30
Submission to God's Holy Will
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I know all things because I made all things and keep them in existence.
Whatever powers and abilities are in each person or thing, they were put there by Me.
Whatever happens is foreseen, planned, and permitted by Me. My plan seeks your welfare,
not just the welfare which your limited intelligence can see, but your truest and most lasting
welfare.
2. When you feel like questioning My wisdom, remember what you are and who I am. You
are the work of My hands. I gave you the intelligence with which you judge matters, and the
will with which you make your choices. If you disagree with My decisions, remember that I
see all the reasons which you see, and many other reasons which you do not see. All of your
thinking is perfectly clear to Me. When I choose differently from you, it is because your
choice is not for the best.
3. On every occasion do what you think is best. Whenever necessary ask for My help, but do
it with a desire to accept My decision in the matter. End every petition with this perfect
ending: Lord, if this is really good for me, please grant it; but if You decide differently, I
want whatever You want. Place your hopes, ambitions, and efforts at My feet. Do your best
and leave the rest to Me. I will dispose things for your highest welfare.
4. Never think of talking to your Creator as to an equal. You are the work of My hands, and
without Me you are simply nothing. Your very next breath belongs to Me. It is a gift of
Mine to you. Speak to Me with the humility of one who acknowledges this truth.
5. I love you. Why are you troubled, as though I did not care about you? Rely on My
wisdom and love, and I will bring peace into your heart. Worries and fears will not leave
you until you submit yourself to My Will in all things.
THINK:
If I could even imagine my complete dependence on God, I would never find the least fault
with His holy Will. He knows and controls all that can possibly happen and all which will
actually occur. He needs no advice nor instructions. He wants me to seek good things and
strive for whatever improvements seem desirable. He wants me to ask for what I cannot
obtain myself. He demands, however, that I do all this intelligently, without preferring my
own desires to His wise and holy Will. As long as I have a firm confidence in His love, and
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a complete submission to His wisdom, I may be sure that He will send only what is best for
me.
PRAY:
My Creator, I am truly Your property since You made me and keep me in existence each
moment of the day. Yet, You want to deal with me as Your child. You are all-knowing and
all wise. Grant me the wisdom of preferring Your holy Will in all things. Of all the harm
which can come to me on this earth, the worst is my own disagreement with Your loving
plan for me. I here and now place my daily life at Your feet. Do with me as You see fit. I
shall use the intelligence You gave me to better myself as far as possible. When, however,
my plans and efforts fail, I shall not rebel or complain against You. I cannot desire my own
welfare and advantage as wisely as You do. In Your holy Will I hope to seek my greatest
success from now on. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 31
Perfect Self-Surrender
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, few men on earth have peace of soul because few care to let Me manage their
lives as I wish. Many put more faith in their own limited abilities than in My infinite
wisdom and power.
2. Some resign themselves to My Will, but they make a few exceptions; and in these
exceptions they trust themselves more than Me. In these matters they are ready to sin rather
than to have their plans changed. Others surrender themselves in all things, but after a while
they begin to weaken in some particular matter. They are too impatient to wait for the
perfect reward which I have prepared for those who love Me. None of these people will ever
know Me intimately nor will they ever receive the peace of soul which I have promised to
my loyal followers. Their loyalty is too imperfect because of a false self- interest.
3. Forget self and you will find someone far greater-Me. Let Me decide what your life shall
be each day. No offering of yours can please Me completely until you have given Me the
greatest gift of all-your will. Do this by preferring whatever I send you each day. Do your
very best, and then accept the results as My Will.
4. In everything that comes to you this day, see My Will. Use your intelligence and your will
to live a useful and holy life. When matters displease you, practice My patience. Imitate the
virtues of My daily life on earth. Practice My virtues when the occasion arises, and in all
things refuse to sin.
THINK:
Since God is all-powerful, He is able to give me whatever I need; being all-wise He knows
what is best for me. My mind is so small that I cannot even begin to understand how very

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much He loves me. I may rest assured that He wants only what is truly best for me. True,
there are times when I am puzzled at the things which God permits to happen. This is only
another proof of my mental smallness. The most intelligent thing I can do, is to place my life
in His hands, to let Him direct my daily life as He will. This I do by my patience,
understanding, generosity, and unselfishness in my daily activities. When I must provide for
myself, I should do it without too much concern or anxiety, and without disregard for justice
and charity.
PRAY:
Dear Lord, I am beginning to understand at last. I shall reach the peak of wisdom on the day
when I truly surrender myself to Your wise advice, following Your holy Will in my daily
activities. You are present in all that I do, say, and think, in big and small matters, when I
am alone and when I am in company. I please You when I do things Your way, and I
displease You when I act differently. Dear Jesus, You gave me a holy example. Let me
begin at once to be more like You in my thinking, speaking, and acting. True, I shall fail
often, but at least I can offer You the loyalty of trying over and over again. In spite of a
million failures each day, I hope to prove my sincere desire by beginning again after each
failure. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 32
Fervor in God's Service
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, read the lives of My saints and consider their wonderful fervor in following
My Will. Fervor is a prompt and ready will to follow whatever I desire. It is not a matter of
feeling or mood, but a loyal attachment to My Will.
2. Can you say that you are living a life that matches the unselfishness of My saints? They
were unable to say no to Me, no matter what I asked of them.
3. Whether it was sickness, labors, failures, or criticisms, My saints did their best, accepting,
and even preferring, whatever I sent them.
4. Imitate their loyalty to My Will, and you will experience their peace of soul. Your labors
will seem less difficult because I will give you greater graces.
5. The fervent man is eager to know My Will in the various events of daily life. Though his
feelings and moods may change, his will is ever the same--to please Me in all things.
Indeed, his greatest satisfaction comes from following My holy Will.
THINK:
The more I learn to think straight, the better will I see the inner simplicity of earthly life. I
was put on earth to gain the eternal glory and joy of Heaven. I shall earn this unimaginable
happiness in proportion as I reflect the goodness of God in my daily life. He wants me to
become daily more like His Son in my thinking, speaking, and acting. The saints learned
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God's thoughts and Will, and they earnestly tried to live each day as God desired. They
knew that God's way was the only intelligent way. They grew in strength through the
sacraments, prayer, and an honest daily effort. They learned to do many things which had
once seemed too difficult or even impossible.
PRAY:
My God, the reason why I make so many mistakes is that I do not take the time to learn
Your holy Will more clearly. Another reason is that I am afraid to try. Still another reason is
that when I try, I do not make a full and generous effort. I am bound to fail if I try to
improve by my natural effort alone. If I made more frequent use of the sacraments, prayer,
solitude, meditation and reading, my success would be assured. But no; I make a good
resolution and then expect my old faults to disappear. You want determined action. Lord,
time is so short. Please do not let me waste any more of it with halfhearted efforts and
incomplete measures. Let me strive to understand what You desire of me, and let me use
every help at my disposal to follow Your holy Will in my daily life. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 33
Perseverance in God's Service
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, only he who perseveres to the end will be saved. Good resolutions will not
help you unless they are followed right to the end of life.
2. With the help of My grace, be determined to follow My Will in your daily life. Follow it
regardless of feelings. Moods and feelings will change with the changing hour of the day,
but your will must stand firm in loyalty to Me.
3. Sometimes you will enjoy what I send you, and sometimes you will dislike it. At times
you will be eager to obey Me, and at other times you will be sluggish. Yet your will can rise,
with the help of My grace, above these changing feelings. Your true worth is proved by a
determined effort to follow your good resolutions.
4. The Fathers of the desert learned this heavenly wisdom long ago. Never were they fooled
by the devil's temptations nor by the self-deception of their human nature. By prayer,
fasting, penance, and work, they overcame the enemies within them and outside them. With
eyes fixed on Me, they saw Heaven as their goal, and they made their daily life a journey
toward eternal happiness.
5. You too will be tempted to abandon your good resolutions. You will fear for your health,
worry about your friends, be disturbed by human opinions, and become troubled about
imagined dangers.
6. Follow My advice. Keep yourself busy with prayer, self-denial, and good works. I will
soon send you greater graces and you will find yourself closer to Me than before.
For the present walk in faith, hope, and obedient charity. Later you will realize that the trials
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which troubled you were actually good for you. They helped you to see which virtues you
really possess and which are still needed in your daily life.
THINK:
It is after I have made my resolutions that the battle begins. Not only will the devil tempt me
more, but I shall also have to take misunderstandings, and even bad will, from neighbors
who resent my change for the better. My worst enemy, however, will be my own human
nature. It will dislike the harder course of action which I am now following. My
imagination, my old habits, my likes and dislikes, these will cooperate in order to make me
abandon my resolutions. On such occasions I ought to get busy with some activity which
will help me overcome, or at least disregard my lower nature's rebellion. God will send me
light and strength in due time if only I will hold on to my resolutions in the present darkness
of fears, doubts, and dislikes.
PRAY:
My Jesus, there are no words to describe the grandeur and glory which await those who
follow Your holy Will in their daily life. That is why You never tried to tell us what it is
like. When we enter into your glorious Heaven, we too will say with St. Paul that no eye on
earth has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, nor has anyone in this world even imagined what
You have prepared for Your loyal followers. Yes, no matter what suffering we may endure
in this life, these sufferings will never be great enough to earn the smallest joy of Heaven.
Grant me the wisdom to keep my eyes on that goal, so that I may never become discouraged
or cowardly in life's daily battle. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 34
Words of Consolation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not let yourself be crushed by the various activities which you have
undertaken for My sake. No labor, no suffering, no penance or prayer should discourage or
sadden you. What you do for My sake will help you far beyond your fondest dream.
2. Your earthly hardships and trials are rapidly passing away. The longest life on earth is
short. Only eternity is unending. Bear your difficulties, troubles, and sufferings. with
patience. I will relieve you as soon as it is good for you.
3. Whatever you endure on earth, is a very small price to pay for the Kingdom of Heaven.
When you arrive in My heavenly kingdom, you will see how truly My Apostle Paul spoke
when he said that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the
glory to come. 4. Put yourself in My hands and strive to be as independent as You can of
your human needs and of human consolations. Bring your joys and sorrows to Me. Make
Me your best friend and your closest companion. As long as you go through your labors and
hardships in My company, you will not find them too hard.

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THINK:

Life's daily hardships and difficulties are less a burden when I let Our Lord help me. I will
therefore concentrate more on Him and less on my trials. He will teach me to remedy what
should be remedied and to bear what I cannot control. He will show me how much He
suffered for my sake. He will remind me of the shortness of earthly life and the grandeur of
Heaven. He will encourage me and cheer me up in my sadness and discouragement. Unless I
remember to walk with Christ in my daily activities, I shall gradually walk away from Him.
PRAY:

My Jesus, it is good for me to suffer some trial from time to time. At such times I find
myself realizing how weak I am and how little I can depend on the people and things on
which I relied. In such trials teach me to lean on You, to look to Your holy plan for me, and
to consider the brevity of all earthly satisfactions. You deserve my loyalty because of what
You have already done for me. You deserve much more than I can offer because of what
You have prepared for me in Heaven. Let me often consider that the night is quickly
forgotten when morning comes. With eyes on You, my risen King of glory, let me go
through the darkness of earth as one who looks beyond it.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 35
Becoming a Companion of Jesus
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, turn to Me as often throughout the day as your duties will permit. Learn to turn
to Me as others turn to their loved ones and friends. I will give your mind great thoughts,
which will raise you above your narrow earthly view. My thoughts will refresh you, console
you, make you wise, strengthen you, and give you joy.
2. Prepare your soul for My loving companionship, and I shall draw closer to you with
greater graces. I shall raise you up from your natural human level to My heavenly heights.
There you will have a broader view of life, a deeper understanding, and a greater strength
for life's daily activities and burdens.
3. Strive to meditate upon My earthly life. Learn to enter into all that I experienced on earth.
Every thought, every word, every act of Mine was lived for love of you. You have a place in
My earthly life, and My life belongs to you. Therefore, learn to share it now through
meditation and reflection.
4. Learn to pierce the barriers of time and space by the use of prayer. The more you strive to
step into My earthly life and become a companion of Mine in it, the more actively will I
share your earthly life by granting you greater graces.
THINK:
What a wonderful privilege-to be able to step into the earthly life of Jesus and become a
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closer companion of His! I can share His every thought, word, and action. Ah! But isn't that
just a bit of imagination on my part? No. He lived every second of His earthly life for me.
Being God, He thought of me personally from all eternity. Surely He did not stop thinking
of me while He was working out my salvation. Because of His infinite love for me, His
earthly life belongs to me. For my sake He lived each moment of it. I have every right to
step into it and share it with Him through mental prayer. I can do this by contemplating what
He did, meditating on what He said, and considering what He thought and felt in each event.
PRAY:

My loving Saviour, my heart is overflowing with joy for having discovered a precious secret
today! I can step over the barriers of time and space. I can come to You in Your earthly life
as You come to me in mine. Today I have found You in a new way. I will not let You go,
but I will hold on to You. I desire to do whatever is necessary to become a true companion
of Yours. As earthly friendship requires time, attention, and sympathetic understanding, so
too will I give you my time, my attention. I will make my best efforts to understand You
better by daily meditating upon what You said and did in Your earthly life. I shall read a
portion of Your life and mentally live it with You for a while each day. You will grant me
the grace to gain the same benefits from this experience as I might have gained had I
followed You as one of Your disciples. Lord, grant me the faith and the love which I need to
give myself to You in this wonderful method of prayer. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 36
Sharing Christ's Passion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as soon as one decides to come closer to Me in his daily life, he encounters
many difficulties which previously were either absent or unnoticed.
2. First of all, his human nature will rebel at being restrained. His feelings and unreasoning
desires will object to the stricter control which he now uses over them.
3. Secondly, he will find resentment and even opposition from the people around him. Some
will suspect his motives when they notice that he is trying to act better than he did before.
Others will resent him because he reminds them of what they themselves ought to be.
4. Lastly, the devil will make use of this internal and external opposition to tempt My
follower. He fears the good which My follower will accomplish in holding to his new
resolutions.
5. The more you try to give yourself to Me in your daily life, the harder will this life
become. I tell this to you so that you may expect these trials and difficulties.
6. No amount of difficulties and trials will frighten you if you learn to draw strength from
My sufferings and death. My Passion will teach you a wisdom which will outwit all the
deceits of Satan and all worldly opposition. As you meditate on My sufferings I will give
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you a supernatural strength of mind and will. You will overcome all temptations.
7. In My Passion you will see more clearly My love for you. You will see how I bore all
those torments for your sake. You will also understand My wisdom more deeply, as you
observe the same forces opposing Me as oppose you in your attempt to follow Me more
closely.
8. I permitted My feelings to overwhelm Me in My prayer and bloody sweat in the Garden
of Olives, and again in My desolation upon the cross. In My Passion I felt the bitter
disappointment of losing My people, the ingratitude for so much good done, the envy of the
worldly-minded, the misinterpretation of the selfish, the rejection of the proud and
ambitious, the abandonment of the cowardly, and numberless other human faults in those
from whom I had a right to demand loyalty.
9. Satan made use of everything which could make My last hours unbearable. All of my
enemies, both angelic and human, found Me strong against all of their opposition. The very
spite which they were working upon Me, was to bring forth all the supernatural graces
which would save the world.
10. Have no fear. I shall never permit you to be tempted above your strength. As I overcame
the world, so too will you. In My Passion I obtained the graces which you will need to
conquer your temptations. Have confidence in Me. I shall not fail you in your needs.
THINK:
By meditating upon the sufferings of Jesus, I shall receive greater knowledge and strength to
help me overcome the temptations of daily life. The forces which oppose me today are the
same as those which opposed Him in His Passion the forces of evil. These are the forces to
which men yield when they sin. In overcoming them, I share not only the sufferings of
Christ, but also His victory over sin.
PRAY:
My suffering and crucified King, can I expect an easy life when You lived such a hard one?
No. I want to be like You as far as I am able in this earthly life of mine. Let me choose to
work, pray, and suffer as much like You as possible. The greatest privilege I can obtain is
that of living a life like Yours. You chose and bore every suffering and hardship for My
sake. Let me choose to work and suffer for Your sake. I hope to meditate often upon the
sufferings which You embraced for me. As I do so, help me grow in the desire to suffer
more for You in my daily life. Amen.

VIRTUES LEADING DIRECTLY TO GOD

CHAPTER 37
Interior Transformation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as you learn to share my daily life through meditation and prayer, you will
become more like Me in your own daily life. Your thinking will slowly be transformed into
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My way of thinking. My outlook on life will replace yours. So too with your manner of
talking and acting. Your old self will gradually vanish and a new self will take its place. All
this will you do, with the help of My grace, in order to become a loyal friend of Mine, living
in constant union with Me.
2. One of the most wonderful effects of this transformation will be that you will also share
My desires, My intentions, My dignity and power. In a true sense your earthly life will be a
continuation of Mine. You will have power to petition My heavenly Father in My name, and
He will grant your petitions for My sake.
3. Both for yourself and for others you will be able to obtain many extra favors and graces,
which might otherwise not have been granted. Thus your daily life will release to the world
a large share of the help and mercy which I merited by My earthly life and sufferings.
4. This is the biggest reason for Satan's opposition to you. He will never tire of tempting
you. If he cannot gain your soul, at least he may prevent you from helping others over whom
he has more influence. Your life of friendship with Me will weaken many of his temptations
against others, for whom you can obtain extra actual graces.
5. Remember this when you feel no desire to do more for Me through prayer, good works,
and self control. I have given you the privilege of helping Me in the work of saving the
world. Though you are not necessary in this divine task, I have given you the privilege of
being useful in it.
6. In this daily battle for the souls of men, you can be a very effective soldier of Mine. Satan
never abandons his attempts to make men fall into mortal sin. So, too, you must never allow
yourself to grow weary of interceding for souls in danger of sin. Do it by prayer, self
control, self-sacrifice, and by your general intention in whatever you are doing at the
moment.
THINK:
There is no other Redeemer of men than Jesus. He alone is necessary. All others are merely
useful in helping His work. Jesus did enlist the aid of His apostles and His Church. These
were commissioned to go forth and make disciples of the whole world. I have a share in that
divine commission, since I am a member of His Church. In a true sense Jesus made me a
part of Himself. Through His Church, His sacraments, and His actual graces, He offers me
more and more of His thoughts, desires, intentions, outlook, purpose, and power. As Jesus
earned light and strength for all men to know God's truth and fight against their temptations,
so can I help people gain a larger number of the actual graces which Christ gained for them.
As His daily life was the source of all salvation, so can my daily life be a channel of grace
for people in need of greater graces. The more I devote myself to the imitation of Christ in
my daily life, the more actual graces can I obtain for people throughout the world. This
Christ-likeness is my greatest possible achievement on earth.
PRAY:
My Jesus, let me always see the deeper, eternal importance of my daily life. Let my
thoughts, desires, and intentions center around You every moment of the day. I can truly
make a lasting impression on the world. I can obtain extra actual graces for people in all
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conditions of life, graces which may make the difference between their eternal salvation and
their eternal loss. Lord, though You do not need me nor anyone else, You have granted me
the privilege of helping You in this glorious task of helping people gain Heaven. Do not let
me fail You in this all-important work. I shall no longer measure my day's work by my
visible activities. I hope to keep before my eyes the grand, worldwide mission which You
have laid before me-the mission of gaining actual graces for people in need. Amen.

The Way of Imitation

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF
CHAPTER 38
Charity to All
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, let Me fill your heart with charity, so that you may love Me with a full and
perfect love. Charity sees Me in all My works. Even when doing things for men, it does
them for My sake.
2. Be good to all, but refuse to sin for anyone. There can never be any excuse for doing what
is wrong, and displeasing to Me. Still, there are times when you may postpone your religious
duties in order to help someone who needs you. In this case you are still pleasing Me. One
who is not interested in the needs of his neighbor, is not really interested in Me. Your
devotion to Me is proved by action. For My sake help others as much as you are able.
3. In your efforts to help others, beware of falling into impatience when your plans fail.
Guard also against an over-eagerness to change others. If they insist on continuing in their
error, pray for them and leave them to Me. You have done your part. I know how to draw
good even out of the evil which men do.
4. Whenever you cannot correct a defect in yourself or others, be patient and pray for My
assistance. I will not let evil win out in the end. If all men were perfect, you would have
little to suffer for My sake.
Every man has his faults and each one has his burden. Men ought to bear with one another,
help one another, console one another, and warn and instruct one another. Treat others as
you want Me to treat you at your judgment.
THINK:
Charity is the virtue which enables me to love God above all others and in all others. I love
Him above all others as long as I hate all sin and practice the virtues I need in daily life. I
love God in all others firstly, when I try to treat my neighbor with the respect and
consideration which is due to him, and secondly, when I make the most of the things which I
possess and the opportunities which come my way. In all these persons, things, and
opportunities I can prove my love for God by acting toward them as God desires. In all this

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Jesus is my model.
PRAY:
Lord, I admit that You are all-good. You deserve all that I have and all that I possess. How
truly I mean these words will be proved by my attitude toward the people and events in my
daily life. Let me treat others with the love which You desire of me. Grant that I may reflect
Your wonderful patience in life's daily trials. I want to keep trying in spite of my weakness
and faults. If I cannot prove my love by any great improvement, at least I can prove it by a
continual effort to improve. I shall never stop trying because this is the least I can do for
love of You. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 39
Human Respect
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, human respect is the fear of being criticized or corrected by people. Live your
life in My presence, and do not think too much of what people may think or say. As long as
your conscience is clear, the thoughts or words of men can neither add to nor subtract from
your true worth. You are not a better man when people praise you, nor are you worse when
they find fault with you. You are what you are, and I see you as you really are.
2. Your value in My eyes does not depend upon the judgments of people. I look upon your
heart. I see your intentions and your sincere efforts. Men judge you mainly by your external
actions. They cannot be sure of your merit or guilt in the deed. Too often they judge you by
their own likes and dislikes, or by their own vanity and fixed ideas.
3. In this matter try to imitate My Apostle Paul. He tried to please everyone, becoming all
things to all men. Yet he made no account of what people thought of him. He knew only too
well that it is impossible to satisfy everyone. He labored hard to improve the lives of men,
but he could not prevent the harsh criticisms and judgments of some.
4. Like Paul you too must place your life in My hands and leave all judgments to Me.
Defend yourself against unjust criticism by humility and patience. When silence would do
more harm than good, pray for a prudent tongue and then defend yourself with the truth.
THINK:
It is consoling to realize that while people see only the action, God sees also the desire, the
intention, and the sincerity of my effort. I need only be sure that I am doing my honest best,
without self-deception or pride. God will see that truth conquers in the end. Evil tongues and
harsh judgments will not hurt me for long if I trust more in God than in myself. I shall not
put off any good deed nor perform any wrong one for fear of human criticisms or even
mockery.
PRAY:

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My heavenly judge, I leave my life at Your feet. I desire to do my very best for Your honor
and glory. I want to seek Your truth and to follow it in my everyday life. I will not bother to
defend myself against misinterpretations and misunderstandings, unless I am obliged to
avoid scandal or unnecessary offense. As for the rest, I shall leave all judgment in Your
hands. Save me from my own conceit and self-seeking. Forgive the evil tongue that ventures
to judge me and the foolish heart that dares to condemn. Let me never omit a good deed nor
perform what is wrong, through fear of being mocked or hurt by men. You alone are all
holy; You alone are my Lord; You alone are Most high! Men are so often wrong in their
judgments. I will never again let their opinions turn me away from Your holy Will. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 40
Peace of Soul
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, My saints lived in this world without complaint. They were aware of their own
defects, and they offered up their daily trials in reparation for their faults. They developed
the virtues of humility and simplicity in order to avoid self-deception. Their greatest fear
was that they might deceive themselves into a sense of their own goodness, or even of
superiority over others. By living with eyes fixed on Me, they lived in peace.
2. If you want to enjoy My gift of peace, learn to control your selfishness in many things.
Do your best but do it for Me. Give Me the best loyalty within you because I deserve it. Do
not always expect a reward for the good you do. I have already given you more than you can
ever repay Me.
3. If you cannot help others against their faults and defects, the only thing left for you is to
mind your own business. Let them go along the way they have chosen. Why lose your peace
of soul, or even sin by anger?
4. First keep yourself in peace. Then you can see more clearly how to bring peace to others.
A peaceful man has far more influence than a merely learned one. Everyone is impressed by
the man who has peace because all feel the attractions of My grace within him. Do not
desire anything more nor less than My Will, and My peace will remain with you. Then may
you hope to bring this peace to others.
THINK:
All men desire peace, but so few do what it takes to obtain true peace. Some think that they
will find it in financial security. Others seek it in continual activity. Others hope to find
peace in human friendship, or praise, or admiration. These things are not the source of true
peace. A daily life of straight thinking, and unselfish following of God's Will, is the one and
only source of true peace. Interior tranquility is God's gift to those who love His truth and
obey His Will in their daily life. Resentment against some circumstance or other, robs many
people of their peace of soul. I should learn to live with what I cannot control or eliminate in
my daily life. God will help me rise above such things if only I will give Him a chance to
share my life.
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PRAY:

Lord, help me to do what is necessary to obtain the wonderful peace which You have
promised to us, the peace which our souls crave. Grant me the grace to seek Your holy Will
and to live it in all that happens to me this day. I desire to bring Your peace to those around
me. I will try to help them when it is possible, and I will leave them to You when my efforts
are useless. Your holy Will will be my first concern in everything that occurs today. Those
who seek to live as You desire, fulfill the highest wisdom and attain a heavenly peace even
in this earthly life. May I be one of these faithful followers? Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 41
Lasting Interior Peace
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, peace I leave to you, My peace I give to you. This is My promise to all My
loyal followers. Everybody wants peace of soul, but so few are willing to do what is
necessary to obtain it. My Will is the only door to true and lasting peace. This peace is given
to those who are gentle and considerate with their neighbor. I do not hesitate to grant it to
those who are truly patient, and to the humble.
2. You could possess all of these virtues and you could enjoy My wonderful peace if only
you would follow My directions. Prefer to do the will of others rather than your own will.
Always seek the lowest place, and let others be preferred before you. Forget self-interest and
follow My instructions. Give all for all, and do not make any exceptions in your offering to
Me.
3. Why do you refuse to have complete confidence in Me? I know what is truly best for you.
I can send you nothing that is really bad for you. You do not love yourself one fraction as
much as I love you. Let me govern your life. Be convinced that I will take good care of you.
Only when you have learned to do things My way, only when you seek My Will above all
else, only then will you possess the priceless treasure of My peace. Where I reign, there does
My peace flourish.
THINK:
Peace is the tranquility which comes from order. Order means that everything is as it should
be. When my life is running as it should, I shall have peace. Who knows better than God
how my life should be lived? Therefore, if I want peace, I must follow God's holy
commands. Why do I lack this peace? It is because somewhere in my life, I am not faithful
to God's directions. His directions may seem too difficult, or even impossible, but they are
not really so. God will never burden me above my strength, nor will He ever command the
impossible. If I lack the strength to follow His wishes, it is because I am not doing what it
takes to gain that strength.
PRAY:
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Jesus, my King and Saviour, when will I understand that You command only what is best
for me? In my blind selfishness I run away from You and from my true and lasting welfare.
I want to be free and without frustrations, yet I allow myself to become tied down with
earthly interests which are neither necessary, nor good for me. Teach me, impress me with
this truth, that when I disagree with You, I am actually my own worst enemy. Convince me
beyond all doubt, persuade me, once and for all, that my greatest advantage will come from
following Your directions throughout my daily life. Then will I know the wonderful gift of
interior peace, which You promised to all who follow You, the peace which everyone
seeks, but few possess. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 42
Obstacles to Peace of Soul
MY CHILD, as I have already told you, where there is order, there will you find My peace.
My peace does not leave you until some disorder has entered into your soul. This disorder
may be in your thinking or in your will.
2. Thus, for instance, some people, either through ignorance or through neglect, fail to see
life's daily events My way. They are troubled, anxious, ready to do anything for some need
or advantage in their earthly life. My loyal followers work for their needs, but they do not
forget Me. They consult My Church when they doubt what is to be done.
3. Never take your eyes away from My teachings. Otherwise you will easily be deceived.
Consider My judgments more than the judgments of worldly people. Let no human praise,
nor human fault-finding, influence your loyalty to Me.
4. Then again, disorder may arise in your will. You may want some worldly advantage or
earthly success, regardless of My Will in the matter. If this is so, you shall be deprived of
My peace. You may distract or deceive Yourself for a time, but My grace will continue to
disturb your conscience.
5. Be truly wise. Do not have any fixed desires. Place all your hopes, plans, and efforts at
My feet. Follow what seems wise and good, but do not make up your mind to have what you
desire, no matter what the price. If you follow your unreasoning desires too strongly, you
will only find regrets and remorse later on.
THINK:
There is only one way to true and lasting peace. That way is God's Will. The man who lacks
interior peace either wants what God does not want him to have, or refuses to take what God
wants him to take. One who does his best to embrace God's holy Will, will receive Christ's
peace. What about me? Am I trying to embrace God's holy Will in all that happens to me
each day? To do this perfectly I must see the full picture of life. I must see God directing,
supporting, and permitting whatever occurs, be it good or evil. In glowing evil to happen,
God has reasons far beyond my understanding. My highest wisdom lies in embracing the
evils which I am not able to remedy, accepting them because God permitted them to happen
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to me. When I have succeeded in wanting only what God wants me to have, I shall know the
wonderful peace of Christ.

PRAY:
All-wise Creator, You know what is best for me. Everything which You permit in My life, is
good for me in some way. You do not ask me to understand all of these things, but only to
accept them because You permit them. True, You expect me to do my best to correct the
wrongs which happen to me; but when I cannot correct them, that is when I am to embrace
them for Your sake. In seeking Your holy Will above my own likes and dislikes, I shall find
the grace of interior peace. With this peace I shall think more clearly in my daily life. I shall
also find it easier to control my unreasoning desires, since I shall more easily see how
unreasonable and foolish they are. Lord, help me share Your holy wisdom by following it in
my daily life. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 43
Good Judgment in God's Service
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, never be completely idle. Try to have enough interests and activities to keep
you reasonably occupied at all times.
2. Beware, however, of over activity. No matter what you do, be sure to consider the limits
of your strength. Different people have different talents, abilities, and strength. You cannot
keep up with everyone in everything.
3. Bodily exercises should be practiced with good judgment. They are not to be equally
undertaken by all. Each person should match his exercises with his strength and daily
occupation. The extreme love of bodily exercises is frequently another form of pride or
vanity. Eventually it will injure your health.
4. In every activity, be it physical or mental, you must be your own master. Do not let any
interest gain too strong a hold on you. Otherwise it will gradually paralyze your better
judgment and make you its slave. You will no longer be able to do what is best for yourself.
Your thoughts and desires will be controlled by this strong interest.
5. Always strive to maintain your interior freedom from all things. Only then will you be
able to think straight and choose what is right and truly good for you.
6. In your external, activity, do not try to appear better, or even different from the ordinary
good people around you. In your public actions beware of putting on a show. One who is
really better than others tries to be better in My presence and for My sake, and not for the
admiration or praise of men.
7. Your first obligation at all times, is to fulfill the ordinary duties of daily life. Do these as
perfectly as you can for My sake. After having fulfilled these obligations, you may follow
your own personal inclinations away from the eyes of men. Fulfill your public devotions
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without unnecessary show. If you want to do extraordinary things for Me, do them privately
where I alone will see you and praise you.
THINK:
Again and again I am faced with the fact that my worst enemy is this silly self-love of mine.
It is silly because it seeks such flimsy glory and such shallow satisfaction, while it should be
striving for the eternal glory and perfect satisfaction of Heaven. Even in seeking to become
better and holier, I often have the wrong motives. I seek it for my own glory instead of
God's glory. He wants me to better myself, so as to be more like Him in my daily life; but I
keep wanting to appear better than those around me. As a result of this blindness, my
spiritual life remains weak and unsteady. My improvement must begin from within, in my
thinking, my intentions, and my purpose. When I have made God my main goal, I shall
begin to show balance and good judgment in my external actions.
PRAY:
All-wise and loving Father, thank You for a very precious lesson today. As long as I think
straight, I shall exercise good judgment in my daily life. If You are truly my main goal, if I
desire Your Will in all things, I shall avoid many a foolish extreme. I know that You see my
efforts and that You are satisfied as long as I am doing my reasonable best. When I strain
and go to extremes, I usually do it for some selfish reason. Therefore, help me live a
balanced life, at least by avoiding all deliberate show. Let me not desire the admiration or
attention of anyone except You. As long as I follow Your holy direction, I shall never
become a slave to my work, nor to any other created thing. The greatest sacrifice which You
ask of me just now, is loyalty to my daily obligations. Let me not go to any extremes, but let
me do my best for Your sake. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 44
God's Wisdom in Daily Life
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, let Me teach you some of My heavenly wisdom. This gift is more precious
than all the gold and wealth on earth. My wisdom is far above that of men.
2. The main reason why men judge so wrongly is that they think too much of this earthly life
and not enough of the eternity which awaits them. They defend their earthly judgments with
all kinds of worldly reasoning, and therefore they often fall into errors and sins.
3. I do not want you to be deceived by wrong human reasoning. As long as men disagree
with My judgments, they are wrong. You may understand the human reasoning better than
you understand My judgments, but this merely proves how far My wisdom is above all
created intelligence. I gave to man the limited intelligence with which he judges. You insult
My infinite intelligence if you prefer the reasoning of men to My word. I see what they see
and infinitely more than they see.

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4. Worldly men are foolish, not because they value the good things of this world, but
because they value these things too much. They are too ready to offend Me for some earthly
gain or advantage. They fail to consider the full truth about themselves, and therefore they
get false notions about their own greatness. They fail to see that all true greatness is a gift of
Mine.
S. They seek praise and admiration for some passing earthly achievement or talent, when
they should be seeking the all-satisfying praise and admiration which I will grant to those
who gain Heaven.
6. Your true greatness lies in reflecting My goodness and wisdom in your daily life. You do
this by following My wisdom in all things. What men praise in you is worthy of praise only
if it pleases Me. Not everything that seems good is truly good. What men call right is not
always right. You will never be confused by worldly wisdom as long as you keep your eyes
on My work. Look to My Church and you shall possess My truth.
THINK:
This modem age is so filled with conflicting beliefs and philosophies. It is truly confusing.
Yet, I can avoid all confusion if only I will let God guide me through His Church. I shall
possess God's peace if I refuse to let people confuse me, with their ideas and theories. God
made all the good things on earth, yet He warns me against loving them too much. These
things are good for me only if they help me to please God and follow His Will. Otherwise I
must look on them as harmful for me.
PRAY:
Eternal fountain of all wisdom, my God, I realize now how hard it is to think straight among
worldly people. Their false reasoning sounds so logical at times. Yet, how can they be right
if You disagree with them? I want to live a life of happiness, but not the false and passing
happiness of earth. If I must make a choice between earth and Heaven, then I want to choose
the best things first. I will make good use of the things I possess on earth. Never shall I love
them so much as to offend You. I will try to think more and more Your way in my daily life.
I will learn Your religion better and better. Your word shall be my sure guide to Heaven. I
rely upon Your holy grace to give me the heavenly strength which I shall
need. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 45
Holy Obedience
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, all legitimate authority comes from Me. My Will is shown to you in every
reasonable command of legitimate authority. In obeying those who have authority over you,
you obey Me.
2. You cannot decide what you will like or dislike, since your feelings are not always under

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your control, You can, however, decide to follow what you know is right and good.
Obedience to authority is an act of the highest reasoning. If I am the source of all legitimate
authority, then you obey Me every time you obey your lawful superiors.
3. Meditate upon this truth. Strive to see Me in those who command you. In so doing, you
will find it much easier to take orders. This kind of obedience frees your mind from all sense
of inferiority. It also diminishes the human resentment which you may naturally feel. Self-
deception and pride are best overcome in a life of holy obedience.
4. Seek to purify your self-offering to My Will by a more perfect obedience in your daily
life. In obedience you sacrifice more than your possessions. You sacrifice yourself, your
feelings, your time, and your free will. The more you strive to eliminate your natural
reasons, the more pure will your self-sacrifice be. Obedience includes the sacrifice of
everything else.
5. When you feel inclined to disobey superiors, remember that 1, your Saviour, lived a life
of obedience to human superiors during My earthly life. How then can you, who are dust
and ashes, refuse to follow My example?
6. Never give bad example by disobedience. Your obedience makes it easier for others to
obey. Never seek particular privileges except when absolutely necessary. If you try to live
without the restraints of obedience, you are simply raising yourself on a pedestal, which is
pride or self-indulgence. No man can live without some measure of obedience in his life.
Indeed, no one can be a good superior unless he himself knows how to obey. You can
command safely and wisely only if you have learned to obey humbly and promptly.
THINK:
God loves order because order is born of intelligence. Where order is lacking there can only
be confusion and destruction. If I want to please God I must put order into my life. Not only
am I to obey the direct commands of God, but also His indirect commands; that is, the
orders which come to me through my lawful superiors. Only if they command what is sinful,
must I refuse obedience. Obedience will always be a blow to my human pride, unless I make
it an act of love for God. Jesus shows me how this is done. He became obedient to human
superiors to make up for my sins of disobedience and also to give me an example of perfect
obedience. Can I refuse to become more like Him? I do refuse every time I disobey those
who have authority over me.
PRAY:
My Jesus, obedient Son of the heavenly Father, You obeyed His holy Will even to the point
of dying for my sins. How can I ever forget this? Will I consider myself better than You by
refusing to obey the commands of my lawful superiors? No matter how much I claim to love
You, my claims are only words until I prove them by a life of unquestioning obedience to
Your holy Will. You speak to me through Your Church and through all those who have a
right to direct and command me. Let me see You in them. I want to obey You in them. Grant
me the grace to hear Your voice when duty calls me to my daily occupations and activities. I
want only one favor from You, the grace to offer myself to You daily by a life of obedience
to my obligations. Amen.

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MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF
CHAPTER 46
The Virtue of Humility
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, humility is a much misunderstood virtue. Many people think it is an
unreasoning sense of inferiority, or a lack of self-appreciation. In reality humility is far from
this. It is an honest facing of facts, admitting them, and acting according to them. The
humble man lives free of all pretense and self-deception. This honesty with facts helps him
to think clearly and act fairly in his daily life.
2. When you see others honored, praised, or admired, do not yield to envy or resentment.
Let facts rule your life. If they deserve honor and admiration, give it to them. If not,
maintain a charitable silence.
3. So too, when you are criticized, blamed, or despised, do not be disturbed. Look at the
truth. If you are guilty of an accusation, ask pardon and mend your ways. If you are
innocent, and the matter is serious enough, patiently try to right the wrong done you. If the
matter is slight, you will find peace and greater grace in silence. Do not lose your self
control in a desire to justify yourself. I judge you according to the facts, not according to
what others think of you. Follow the same rule in judging yourself.
THINK:
There is so much pretense in human society, so much putting on, so much posing. We like
to appear better than we are, but we do not always work hard enough to become better. If I
were honest, I would admit my many faults and my few virtues. I would not be afraid to
practice this honest self-appraisal when people point out my shortcomings and limitations.
Never again would I act as though God owed me something. God loves a man who lives an
honest life, a truthful life, not expecting a return of respect or thanks for everything he does.
A truly humble man is so conscious of his boundless debt to God that he finds it hard to
complain, even when injustice is done to him.
PRAY:
Father of Truth, I desire to prove myself a true son of Yours. I want to be simple,
unassuming, and unpretentious in my daily life. Let me not put on airs and act superior to
others. I will never make others feel inferior in my presence. I want to think often of my
complete dependence upon You for all things. When I am praised, I will thank those who
praise me and then thank You for the success which You placed in my hands. I shall never
be slow to praise others for their good deeds. Let me five a truthful life, facing facts and
admitting them in my actions. Unless I live this way, I shall not be a true follower of Jesus,
Your divine Son. I hope to begin at last to be loyal to Jesus by practicing humility in my
daily life. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

~ 160 ~
CHAPTER 47
Humility in Action
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, nothing is more pleasing to Me than to see you truly humble in your daily life.
The humble man remains at peace when others find fault with him. His attention is so firmly
fixed on Me that he is as conscious of My presence as he is of the people around him. He
cannot forget his complete dependence on Me. He is so impressed by his own nothingness
that he fights against all forms of pride within him. As a result of this hatred of all pride, he
refuses to defend his rights in unimportant matters.
2. People resent the man who seeks to raise himself above them, but no one resents the an
who is little in his own eyes. The humble an does not look for admiration. He is as willing to
be last, as others are anxious to be first. He does not care what others think of him, but in all
things he is eager to please Me. He is not interested in honors, reputation, or human
applause. He knows that I judge without error or misunderstanding, and he seeks only My
approval.
3. The truly humble man is not afraid to have others know or correct his faults. He uses
these humiliations to prove to himself that he wants no earthly glory, but only self-
improvement for My sake.
4. Never compare yourself with those who seem worse than you, but reflect often upon My
infinite generosity with you. Remember your enormous debt of gratitude to Me. Humility
will convince you that without Me you are nothing. This virtue will urge you on toward
greater self-sacrifice for My sake.
THINK:
The man who is little in his own eyes, is truly great in God's eyes, because he is a man of
truth. He counts as nothing all the satisfactions, accomplishments, and glories of earthly
life because he sees God as his first and highest good. The lower he reaches in self-esteem,
so much the higher does he rise toward the God of truth. Anyone who attributes any good to
himself alone, hinders God's grace from raising him to true perfection. All perfection begins
with an honest facing of facts; that is, humility.
PRAY:

My heavenly Father, God of truth, You reveal Your secrets to the humble man. You invite
him to a closer and higher friendship with You. Let me abandon all pretense and hypocrisy,
and help me be honest with You, with people, and with myself. I must not hide the truth
from myself. I want to admit it in my actions, even when it is unpleasant. Only then shall I
receive Your peace and joy. Thoughts of death and judgment will not arouse fear within me
because my love of truth will be my guarantee of salvation. Let me face what I am, and
begin today to improve myself according to Your holy plan. I shall humble myself as often
as I can, so that I may never forget my complete dependence on You. I shall look on
humiliations as an opportunity to overcome my foolish pride. When praise and honor come
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to me, I shall pass it on to You, the fountain of all success. My greatest glory lies in living a
truthful life, free of self-deception and foolish pride. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 48
Self-Abasement
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when you have succeeded in developing the virtue of humility to a high
degree, I shall lead you on to a still higher virtue-the virtue of self-abasement. This is the
virtue which inspires My followers to avoid all forms of admiration, praise, and honor. In
their deep appreciation of Me, they seek the last place among people, preferring to be
overlooked, and even mistreated.
2. Through humility, My loyal follower comes to know Me better and better. As he grows in
appreciation of My infinite goodness, he seeks to express his love for Me more and more.
He realizes that I am constantly giving him more gifts, both natural and supernatural. This
realization arouses in him a desire to give Me more and more of himself.
3. This yearning leads him to various forms of self-sacrifice. He seeks to deprive himself of
human admiration and praise, since he desires to avoid all earthly rewards for the good
which he does. He wants to do more and more for Me alone. Even in giving good example,
he strives to do it under the appearance of the ordinary.
4. In his desire to give himself entirely to Me, My self-abasing follower prefers to obey
rather than command, to serve rather than be served, to follow rather than lead, to praise
rather than be praised. In his own small way he tries to match My generosity with his
gratitude. He strives to offer his daily self-sacrifice in return for My boundless love. All this
he does by lowering himself as much as possible in his daily life. Of course, this self-
lowering does not prevent him from doing his best in his daily tasks.
5. I practiced this self-abasement all through My daily life. I chose a cold and lonely stable
as My birth place, a small, unknown town as My home, an ordinary trade as My work. I
stood among the penitent sinners who stood in line to receive the baptism of John. My life
and occupation were despised by many. No matter how much you lower yourself, you will
never equal the self-abasement of My Passion and death, nor even the self-abasement of the
Holy Eucharist, where I dwell under the appearance of bread and wine.

6. Imitate Me in this wonderful virtue of self-abasement. My saints could not practice it

enough to satisfy their love for Me. Though they were misunderstood and despised by
others, they were happy in the thought that their life was all for Me. They were eager to
crowd as much pure love as possible into their earthly life. They did it through self-
abasement, the one virtue which excludes all pride and self-deception.
THINK:
If I meditated more often on God's infinite generosity with me, His infinite mercy toward
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me, and the boundless self-sacrifice of Jesus for my sake, I would make some attempt to
practice some kind of self-abasement. Not only would I avoid praise, admiration, and honor,
but I would actually desire to be despised and mistreated. This desire would arise from the
realization of how very much I owe to God and how little I have given to Him thus far. I
would forget the fear of ridicule and contempt which I now have because I would be too
impressed by the greatness and goodness of God.
PRAY:
My Jesus, self-abasing Saviour, grant me this wonderful virtue by which You proved Your
love for me beyond all question. All the saints practiced self-abasement because they
appreciated Your goodness and Your love. I want to share their holy appreciation and their
generous love for You. In their determination to serve You without pride or self-deception,
they practiced this high virtue of self-abasement. Fill my mind with the sight of Your
goodness, and my will with a yearning to satisfy Your all-deserving love. I hope to empty
myself of self-love through self-abasement for love of You. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 49
The Virtue of Poverty
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, if you sincerely desire to advance in perfection, free your heart of all earthly
attachments. Do it first by breaking away from whatever draws your will toward sin. Then,
rise to higher virtue and practice holy poverty.
2. The virtue of poverty is the desire to abandon more and more things in your daily life so
that you may have fewer bonds holding you back from Me. This virtue seeks to abandon all
that is not absolutely necessary for your daily life.
3. True, you cannot abandon all things in your earthly life. You must eat, work, rest, and
provide for the future. However, when the virtue of poverty fills your soul, you will do all of
these things more perfectly. Your intention will be to do these things as I did them in My
daily life, that you may be a success not only here on earth, but above all hereafter in
Heaven.

4. This holy virtue will help you use all things for My sake. You will seek to use these
things to please Me. You will see them as helps to bring you closer to Me in your daily life.
It will help you think with less prejudice because you will have fewer earthly desires.
5. The virtue of poverty will make you wise in the right use of what you need. It will free
your will from its earthly preferences and will lead it on toward Me in your daily activities.
Gradually you will become the master of your soul, free from undue distractions and
unreasoning attachments.
THINK:

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Being poor in spirit does not mean having nothing. It simply means being free from earthly
attachments. Such a poor man wants nothing which leads to sin. Moreover, he wants God's
friendship so much that he eliminates as much competition as possible within himself. In his
eagerness to come closer to God, he turns his back on as many things as he can. By doing
this he is able to think more easily of God, speak with Him more often, and please Him
more perfectly.
PRAY:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. These are Your words,
my Jesus. You spoke them long ago, but they are still true. How few have bothered to
understand them, much less practice them I We claim to be wise, yet how often we fail to
place You first in our daily life. We admit in word that You are our greatest treasure, and yet
we seldom think of limiting our earthly interests in order to give You more attention and
better service. I am tired of living this illogical life of mine. I want to begin this day trying to
have fewer things in my daily life, so that I may have less to draw my attention away from
You. Fill my thoughts with You. Direct my intentions to Yourself, so that I may begin at last
to live for Your praise, honor, and glory. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 50
The Virtue of Patience
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I came down from Heaven for your salvation and perfection. Not only did I
make reparation for your sins, but I also gave you an example of the virtues which you need
in order to gain eternal life. I took upon Myself your daily trials and difficulties, in order to
show you how to deal with them.
2. One of the virtues which you often need in your daily life is patience. I had to practice a
great deal of patience with the people around Me during My earthly life. I had to bear the
same things which annoy and irritate you. I bore these trials with patience. Meditate on My
patience and pray for the wisdom and strength to imitate Me in this holy virtue.
3. Consider how I treat My loyal followers. I do not send them an easy life, but one which
demands great patience, not many earthly joys, but many trials; not honors, but contempt
and hatred; not ease, but endless labors. By their unwavering patience they earn a crown of
unending glory.
4. Some are willing to suffer only what they choose to endure. Others can be patient with
certain persons, but not with everyone. A truly patient man, however, makes no exceptions
and sets no conditions as to when, or with whom he will be patient. One who possesses
supernatural patience, does not consider what kind of people cause his trial; whether they
are superiors, equals, or inferiors, whether they are well meaning or malicious. He is
interested only in taking this trial as though I were handing it to him. As long as the matter
does not require him to defend his rights, or to correct the people involved, he is willing to
bear his trial for My sake.
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THINK:
The supernatural virtue of patience is an act of love for God shown by the disregard of one's
own convenience or inconvenience. It is another form of self-giving. Jesus could have saved
me with far less inconvenience to Himself. He endured much more for me than He needed
to. That was His way of showing His love for me. If I fix my eyes on Him, I shall never
again say that I can take anything except this or that. I shall be willing to suffer anything for
Jesus. I shall lose sight of the people involved, and see only Jesus.
PRAY:
Dear patient Jesus, who can describe the boundless love with which You suffered so many
trials in Your daily life? Can I think of this and still refuse to practice greater patience in my
own life? Can I see my God and Saviour bearing so much aggravation for my sins, and still
go on demanding a smoothly running life for myself? You are still practicing patience with
me, as You wait for me to come to my senses and start practicing a bit of humility in my
daily life. If I were truly humble, I would find it easy to be patient. I deserve far worse than
what I now suffer in my daily life. Therefore, I shall be patient with the trials which come
along. Some day I may rise to a higher generosity with You. I may even reach the joy which
Your saints had in suffering for You. I must, however, begin today. I hope to face my
problems and annoyances with patience, for Your sake, my Jesus. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 51
Daily Need of Patience
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, though you may plan all things and arrange everything with the greatest care,
you will still have many opportunities to exercise the virtue of patience. You cannot
eliminate the unexpected, the unforeseen, and the unavoidable. In many cases your best
remedy and weapon will be an intelligent patience with yourself as well as with others.
2. Every man has his daily share of troubles and trials. Sometimes it may be bodily pain and
discomfort. At other times it may be mental or spiritual suffering, some annoyance,
disappointment, or anxiety. Sometimes you may feel that I have deserted you. Then again,
you may have to bear misunderstandings, misinterpretations, or even bad will from your
neighbor. In fact, there are times when you are a burden and a bother to yourself.
3. Everybody would like to be free of these trials, but it cannot be. They are a part of your
earthly life. Wherever you turn, you will always find My cross in one form or another.
Patience will help you to bear it more easily. This virtue will help you keep your soul at
peace, so that you may continue to walk toward Heaven in time of trials.
THINK:
I see only too clearly how wonderful a virtue patience is. It is the key to peace, and even joy,
in time of trouble and suffering. I need never be surprised, resentful, disappointed, or sad
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when things go badly for me. Wherever I go, I bring with me one of my greatest troubles
and burdens---myself, with all my unreasoning desires and endless wants. Through the
virtue of patience I can gain greater possession of myself. I shall more easily see how to deal
with the trials facing Me.
PRAY:
My Jesus, King of true glory, You embraced a life of suffering and trials for love of me.
You mounted a throne of shame and agony for my sins. Can I expect, or even desire, a life
of ease, with everything going as I wish? When I consider what You chose to suffer for my
sake, the disappointments, hatred, ingratitude, humiliation, injustice, and more, can I want a
life of planned successes and pleasant friendships? No, Lord. If I really love You, I shall
desire a share of Your cross in my daily life. Teach me patience to accept the heartaches,
aggravations, and disappointments which come my way. Make me more like You in a life
like Yours. No greater glory is possible to any man. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 52
The Sufferings of Daily Life
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as you advance in the virtue of patience, I shall draw you closer to My heart. I
will show you how great a privilege it is to bear anything for My sake. When you see what I
have suffered for you, and when you reflect on the great trials and troubles which My saints
suffered for My sake, you will realize how little you are doing for Me.
2. You have not been asked to shed your blood nor to suffer tortures. You will find it much
easier to bear your daily burdens and trials when you realize the agonizing sufferings of My
earthly life and the great trials of My glorious martyrs. My loyal followers had to fight
violent temptations. Their patience was tested in so many ways, but they passed through all
this with the clear vision of unselfish love for Me. If this consideration fails to make you
think less of your own trials, this is only a proof that you still think more of yourself than of
Me.
3. I will not permit anything in your life which does not help your highest interests.
Therefore, learn a valuable lesson from Me. Be less anxious to enjoy this earthly life and
more willing to bear your daily trials for My sake. Prepare to face the disappointments,
misunderstandings, contradictions, and labors with greater resignation and patience. I will
not be outdone in generosity. I shall give you the grace to act more wisely and calmly in
time of trial.
Do not expect to reach Heaven's eternal happiness by a life of ease and contentment on
earth. My heavenly gifts are not given to those who are impatient with suffering and
adversity.
Patience will help you to think clearly. You will come to look on suffering as a privilege, for
it is just that when accepted and embraced for My sake. You will then understand the joy of
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My Apostles who rejoiced when they were punished for preaching My words. They knew
what a privilege it was to suffer for My sake.
THINK:
It is truly a privilege to suffer anything for Jesus' sake. Man's greatest achievement on earth
is to forget self and offer all to God, especially when things are contrary and difficult. I must
pray for an opportunity to prove my unselfish love of God. The better I know Him, the more
will I desire to suffer for Him. I can begin by accepting the ordinary trials of daily life. Later
I may rise to greater opportunities and seek more opportunities to prefer His holy, all-wise
Will to my own blind, selfish will.

PRAY:

My Jesus, so many people recommend patience and admire it with their lips, but so few are
willing to exercise it in their daily life. Please do not allow me to be a theoretical follower of
Yours, but an active one. I desire to be generous with You in real life. You deserve so much
more than I can ever offer You. It is little enough that I have to suffer when compared with
the cross which You embraced for love of me, or compared with what Your saints did for
Your sake. Let me at least find joy in embracing, for love of You, the trials, contradictions,
disappointments, and labors of this day. I hope to rise higher than this later on, by wishing to
suffer more than my ordinary share of daily tasks and trials. All this let me do for Your sake,
my all-deserving Saviour. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 53
The Value of Adversity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, a man's true greatness is seen in adversity. Hard work, disappointments,
failures, criticism, misinterpretations, opposition, sorrow, and bodily suffering are the tests
which show you what you really are. Your virtues are proved and your faults are revealed
during these adversities.
2. Prosperity and success are not always good for you. Your greatest achievement on earth is
to be united with Me in all things. You can achieve this union best in time of adversity.
When all goes well, you can deceive yourself, but not so when matters go badly. Faith,
hope, humility, patience, and the other supernatural virtues can be measured only by their
testing in real life. In adversity you cannot deceive yourself, but you see yourself as you
really are.
3. I want you to become truly holy. I desire you to offer yourself to Me without reservation
or exception. Such an offering is best made in trials and suffering. Your natural self-interest
and self-seeking must be buried in My Will. You cannot be sure that this has been done until
you accept whatever adversity I send in your daily life.

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THINK:

Nothing is more pleasing to God, nor more profitable to me, than to suffer willingly for love
of Christ my King. As I grow in the appreciation of this truth, I shall come to prefer
adversity to consolation and ease. Within me will grow the desire to do more for Jesus, Who
did so much for me. I shall advance in the desire to be more like Christ and His saints. I
shall therefore wish to suffer more, endure more contradictions, misunderstandings, failures,
disappointments, sorrows, and pain.
PRAY:
My loving and all-wise God, although You allow me to face temptations and adversities, it
is for my own good that You do so. You want me to rise to greater heights of goodness, so
that I may gain greater eternal glory in Heaven. In the middle of my trials and sufferings I
ought to love You as much as ever, realizing that this adversity is a loving gift from You.
You know what is best for me, and You send it my way so that I may embrace it and accept
it. Grant me the wisdom to bless You in my trials and to love You in my sufferings. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 54
Joy in Adversity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, this earthly life is not a lasting home. You were made for an unending life of
perfect happiness with Me in Heaven. This earth is not a place of rest but of labor. Men
often spend a good part of their lives working for some earthly goal. Then, after a brief
enjoyment of their success, they pass on into eternity. If they are willing to sacrifice so much
for a passing earthly goal, how much more willing should you be to labor and sacrifice for
an unending heavenly glory?
2. Do not think that you have found true peace when things run smoothly in your daily life.
My peace is given to those who know how to face adversity and endure hardships. Your
model is My earthly life. From the hour of My birth until My last breath on the cross, I
patiently endured all kinds of adversity. Grief and want were not strangers to Me. I
frequently heard complaints and criticism around Me. I bore disgrace and reproach though I
lived a faultless life. Ingratitude was My reward for all the help which I gave to so many
people. Falsehoods were hurled against Me after I offered My saving truth to all.
3. My loyal followers had the same experience. Apostles, martyrs, confessors, and virgins -
all of My saints bore adversity in their lives. All of them rejoiced at the privilege of
suffering something for My sake. They were able to endure so much because they kept their
eyes on Me and on Heaven.
4. You too would find joy in adversity if you exercised more faith, more humility, more
patience, more love for Me, instead of favoring yourself so much. If you had even a passing
glimpse of the indescribable glory of Heaven, you would no longer seek what is pleasant
and satisfying on earth. You would easily admit that all earthly trials and sufferings are
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small in comparison with the heavenly reward. Never again would you complain in time of
adversity.
THINK:
There is no comparison between my earthly labors and sufferings and the heavenly
happiness and glory which Jesus has prepared for His faithful followers. St. Paul said: The
sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come. Jesus
gives me an example of the highest wisdom. He embraced a life of adversity with patience
and with complete self-possession. He refused to rebel against His Father's Will in any way.
He was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He wants me to do likewise in my
daily life, so that He may one day grant me the glorious reward of Heaven.
PRAY:
My Jesus, model of true holiness, no goodness is worthy of Heaven unless it is inspired by
Your grace. To be like You is my greatest glory. I believe this truth, and I desire to follow it
in my daily life. Help me to understand You better, so that I may think like You and act like
You. The worst thing in the world is not suffering, nor disgrace, nor human failures, but sin.
In fact, there must be something great about suffering and trials, since You embraced them
in Your earthly life. Let me see the eternal good which lies in earthly adversity. As far as it
is good for me, let me desire to suffer more than I now do. If for no other reason, I desire it
in order to be more like You, my suffering Saviour. May I never again look on sufferings
and adversity as something to be hated and avoided. Amen.

MAN'S RELATION WITH HIS NEIGHBOR AND WITH HIMSELF

CHAPTER 55
The Perfection of Charity
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, as you strive to center your love on Me. I shall draw you on toward the peak of
perfection. I shall show you how to love Me with the purest love possible to man or angel.
2. The perfection of charity lies in seeing My boundless goodness so clearly that you love
Me for what I am simply because I deserve your best attention and your complete self-
giving. Your greatest joy will be in turning your thoughts to Me and in living your daily life
with the intention of pleasing Me in all things. Appreciation of My infinite perfection will
make you turn away from all lesser goodness and perfection, including yourself. Having
found the best, you will no longer be content with less. Though you must live a human life,
performing many human activities, your main desire will be to please Me in these activities.
3. Then will I bestow upon you a vivid awareness of My love for you, and an ardent desire
to give Me all that you are. In your daily occupations you will do your best for My sake. In
your trials and disappointments you will no longer be content with the virtue of resignation
to My Will. You will seek to rise to the higher virtue of preferring My Will, refusing to pray
for any relief for self. Your petitions will always be for the benefit of others. As for yourself,
you will desire only to suffer for love of Me.
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4. When you have reached this high degree of love, I shall grant you a foretaste of My
heavenly peace and joy. Your self-dedication to My all-wise Will, will bring you My peace.
Your awareness of My friendship will bring you My joy.
5. When these graces come to you, earthly trials will seem small to you. They will lose their
power to arouse fear, anxiety, and worry within you. You will carry your burdens without
being burdened, and all bitterness will be turned into sweetness. Indeed, you will feel
impelled to offer me more and more of yourself, constantly desiring to do what is more
perfect for My sake. The very peak of this holy virtue brings with it a yearning to die, so that
you may be with Me in the perfect union of Heaven.
THINK:
I cannot reach this high perfection without God's graces, but I can dispose my soul for these
wonderful graces by my generous efforts today. If I make good use of the holy thoughts,
desires, and opportunities which God sends me today, I will be disposing myself for greater
graces. I must earnestly strive to strip myself of all self-seeking by offering my daily
activities to God. I shall never achieve this disregard for self until I see how much more I
gain in preferring God to myself. My self-offering will be pure only when I am ready to
accept whatever God cares to send me, be it pleasant or unpleasant, great or small. Though
my unreasoning moods and feelings will still oppose my holy desires, I will rise above them
with the strength of charity. Though my external activities will still claim my time and
attention, I shall now perform them for God instead of merely natural reasons.
PRAY:
All-perfect God, source of all good, how do I dare aim so high? I am so small, so weak, so
sinful, yet You invite me to share Your thoughts, Your desires, Your intentions, and Your
power in my daily life. If this were not Your invitation, I would suspect my foolish pride
and my blind self-love. I surrender myself to You today. I shall make every effort to use
well the holy graces which You send me today. No longer will I be satisfied with avoiding
sins, nor even with practicing the necessary virtues of daily life. As far as my daily
obligations, my strength, and my spiritual director will permit, I shall try to do what is more
perfect. I shall seek to be more God-like by imitating Jesus, my divine Model, in all things.
All-wise and loving Father, protect me against all forms of self-deception, all foolish
extremes, all spiritual pride, vanity, and self-seeking. May I never forget that the first proof
of perfection is obedience to those who have a right to direct and command me. Amen.

PART FOUR: THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT

CHAPTER 56
Lifes Daily Warfare
CHRIST:

MY CHILD, your daily life is truly a warfare. There is a continual struggle within you and

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around you. The final purpose of this struggle is to win men for Heaven or for hell. The
parties engaged in this battle are My Blessed in Heaven, My Church on earth, and I, on the
one side, with the world, the flesh, and the devil on the other.
2. The battleground in this warfare is the soul of each and every person on earth. Too often a
man joins his own enemies and helps them defeat My efforts to save him. This is done either
through foolish pride, or through blind selfishness, or simply through a blameworthy
ignorance.
3. The world fights Me by its false standards of self-respect, ambition, and success. These
are merely different names for self-seeking without regard for others, not even Me. True
self-respect, and right ambition are those which direct your eyes to your highest perfection
and eternal happiness, above all that is temporary and incomplete.
4. The flesh fights Me with its animal desires, its likes and dislikes, which make it harder for
you to think clearly and to strive for what is right. Your blind self-seeking and your stubborn
pride offer you many false reasons for doing what is really bad for you. With these
influences continually at work, you are open to continual self-deception.
5. The devil makes clever use of the enemies mentioned above. He tempts you through
worldly people and through your own weaknesses. Your only defense against these enemies
is to become a spiritual man. With My help you must have a supernatural outlook on all
things. I shall grant you interior vision which will easily detect the clever camouflage of
Satan and quickly recognize sin under its numberless disguises. I shall fill your heart with a
firm and constant love for Me, so that you may go on daily, fighting for My glory without
self-consideration.
THINK:
The daily battle for eternal life goes on at every moment in every human life. God wants me
to be an intelligent and active soldier of Jesus, His divine Son. In His teachings and
sacraments Jesus offers me the knowledge and strength to be a loyal follower of His. If I
cooperate with His holy plan, His eternal, heavenly outlook will replace my narrow,
earthbound outlook on life. Through my interior and exterior imitation of Him I shall be a
spiritual man. Then shall I help spread Christ's victory not only within my own soul, but also
within the souls of the people around me. In fact, my prayers and sacrifices will bring many
graces to people all over the world.
PRAY:
O Jesus, King of my soul, lead me along life's daily battlefield. Teach me to view all of my
daily experiences as one great act of love and loyalty to You. I want to fulfill my daily
obligations with a sense of serving You. When temptations face me, I shall fight them for
love of You. Help me keep this spiritual outlook on all my daily activities. People must not
dim my vision of You. Even in helping others, let it be an act of personal loyalty to You. By
my example I hope to inspire others with a keener desire to follow You. By humble and
timely advice I shall try to help others see Your holy Will. By my prayers I shall try to
obtain for others the graces which they need to fight sin and to practice virtue. Amen.

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THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT
CHAPTER 57
Preparing for the Daily Battle
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, you are to face many trials so that you may practice many virtues. I will send
you some consolation and interior comfort at times, but do not look for lasting contentment
in this life. For My sake, take courage and be brave in facing things which are disagreeable.
I want you to become a new man, another person. You will often have to do what you do not
want to do, and give up what you desire.
2. I tell you this ahead of time, so that you may be prepared to fight the daily battle for
Heaven and gain a glorious victory. Without a fight there can be no triumph. He who refuses
to enter this battle deprives himself of the final and unending glory. Fight on, suffer
patiently, and you will have an all-satisfying crown of happiness with Me in Heaven. Only
by labors on earth will you earn an eternal rest in Heaven. Only by this daily combat can
you achieve the indescribable victory.
3. I, your King and Model, will march before you and fight with you. Follow Me fearlessly
and loyally. Be ready to fight every temptation and all selfishness. He who abandons Me
and My standards is his own worst enemy.
THINK:
Today some of my efforts will end in failure. Other things which I neither want nor expect,
will happen. People will get on my nerves. My own foolishness in some things will annoy
me. These are the trials of everyday life. These are my opportunities for virtue. My spiritual
greatness or littleness is seen on these occasions. If I keep my patience, I am on the first
level of holiness. If I thank God for these occasions, I am on a higher level. If I am glad to
have something to suffer for Jesus' sake, I am on the highest level. How much of myself do I
really want to give to Jesus? My daily life is the answer.

PRAY:

Dear Jesus, my divine Saviour, You lived a human life in order to suffer my daily trials. By
Your patience, kindness, and self-control, You showed the kind of love that You desire of
me. Help me to recognize these occasions for virtue in my own life, and grant me the
strength to make good use of them. Let me no longer be content with merely avoiding sin.
Make me eager to advance in the virtues which I need most. In this way I shall be putting up
the best kind of battle against my faults. I shall also be giving You a higher proof of my love
for You. Amen.

THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT

CHAPTER 58
Self-Conquest in Daily Life
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CHRIST:
MY CHILD, before you can be truly Mine, you must endure a great interior battle. Your
blind, unreasoning self-love will not easily surrender itself to Me, nor to anyone else. This
lower self of yours will embrace only its own visible advantages.
2. And yet, no earthly satisfaction can compare with Me. In Me you will find your greatest
advantage, your perfect satisfaction. I alone am all-perfect and all-good. For My sake you
must lie ready to sacrifice all things which draw you away from Me. Of all your earthly
needs, none is greater than the need to control your unreasoning desires.
3. When you find it hard to obey your superiors or their representatives, look beyond them
and see Me. Obey Ale in them. If your present occupations are disagreeable or difficult, fix
your eyes on the eternal goal of these present tasks. Think clearly and do not allow your
feelings, moods, or blind self-seeking to deceive you.
4. With clear thinking, deep faith in My word, firm confidence in My assistance, and
unwavering love for Me, you must control and guide your life according to My Will. This
will be your highest achievement, this will be your greatest glory. Of all your daily needs,
none is greater, nor more important, than this supernatural self-control.
5. When you have gained full control over yourself, you will have control over everything
else. Blessed is he who has learned to be firm with himself, guiding himself with My
commandments and controlling himself with My grace.
THINK:
The more perfectly I die to self, so much the more perfectly will I live to God. Jesus Himself
goes before me in all my daily experiences. In loneliness I can join the lonely Christ. In
misunderstandings I can turn to Christ misunderstood. Tired, I can rest with the tired
Saviour. In all my trials I can see Jesus experiencing the same trials for my sake. No longer
will my daily hardships and troubles seem as repulsive and frightening as they once seemed.
All the glory of Christian life consists in Christ-likeness. I am most like Jesus when I
willingly embrace the daily cross of disappointments, difficulties, labors, and sufferings.
Christian self-conquest is the daily answer to the blind, natural self-seeking which seeks to
turn me against Christ, my King.
PRAY:
Jesus, divine Saviour, King of the universe, I place my heart and my life at Your feet. Freely
I choose to follow You in my daily life. Gladly will I fight my blind, unreasoning self for
Your sake. You will lead me through this daily battle, on to an eternal victory. The more
perfectly I forget myself for Your sake, the more surely do I walk toward my highest good
and most perfect happiness. I wish to follow You in two ways. Firstly, by embracing
whatever You choose to send me this day in the way of labors, joys, hardships, failures, and
disappointments. Secondly, I wish to follow You by deliberately contradicting my natural
desires as often as I can do so without hurting my daily obligations. Let me have such
contempt for my blind selfishness that I may never sympathize with myself in anything
except Your holy Will and greater glory. Amen.
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THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT
CHAPTER 59
Zeal for Perfection
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, do not be afraid of the daily battle for perfection. If you had even a passing
glimpse of the heavenly glory which I have prepared for you, you would joyfully embrace
any trial and all sufferings for My sake. But I want you to do so without seeing the eternal
reward. Strive for perfection with the best and purest motive. Do it because I deserve such
effort and loyalty.
2. Look for opportunities to contradict yourself. This mortification will be your surest sign
of spiritual progress. Beware of self-deception. Suspect your motives even in the good
within you. Root out all foolish self-seeking by a constant self-contradiction.
3. This supernatural self-contradiction will purify your love for Me. However, even in this
self-contradiction you must be ready at all times to obey your superiors. The higher you aim
in the way of perfection, so much the more do you need the guidance and counsel of others.
He who follows the will of superiors is more perfect than one who follows his own will in
these matters. Obedience is the surest proof of generosity with Me.
4. Avoid false virtue. Never do anything which would prevent you from fulfilling your daily
obligations. Any form of self-discipline which makes you uncharitable or inconsiderate of
others is not from Me. Be eager to have your virtues tested by the experiences of daily life.
Do not fear misunderstandings, failures, humiliations, or sufferings. Fear only to see your
day go by without some sound spiritual progress.

5. Few reach this rare perfection because few give themselves to Me without some
exception or reservation. They leave some small root of earthly self-love in their soul; and
like a destructive weed, that root spreads out and chokes the still-tender, developing virtues.
Only by daily self -contradiction can you purify your love for Me. Only by daily self-
contradiction can you crush the deadly weed of self-deception.
THINK:
If I desire true spiritual progress without self-deception, I must embrace this sure way of
self-contradiction. I can do it in two ways. Firstly, I can willingly embrace the unexpected
disappointments and unforeseen sufferings which come to me throughout the day, thanking
God for them. In these trials I can renew my self-offering to His divine Will. Secondly, I can
seek opportunities to contradict my natural preferences and desires, so that I may offer my
will more fully to God. In all this, however, I must always be prepared to obey the
corrections and counsels of my spiritual guide and of my legitimate superiors. Only then can
I be sure that my desire for perfection is complete.
PRAY:

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My God, my greatest Treasure, enlighten my mind to appreciate You more fully. Arouse my
generosity to offer You the unreserved love which You deserve. Strengthen my efforts to
give myself to You more fully throughout the day. Cast out of my heart all worry about the
past, all preoccupation with the present, and all fear of the future. Fix my mind so
completely on Your goodness that I may hunger only for one thing-to contradict myself for
love of You. You deserve the best that is in me. Let me give it without hesitation. Take my
love in whatever way You desire it, whether in sufferings of the body or trials of the mind. I
want only one thing-to give You all that I am and all that I have. Jesus is my Model of this
self-giving. He was born poor in the stable of Bethlehem, and died poor upon the cross of
Calvary. His poverty was due to His voluntary self-giving for my sake. I hope to imitate
Jesus in His self-giving. Amen.

THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT

CHAPTER 60
Man's True Glory
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, let worldly men seek their success and glory from one another. I want you to
seek your glory from Me alone. All human glory, all worldly honor, all earthly splendor-
these are empty and bare when compared with the heavenly glory, honor, and splendor
which I have prepared for My loyal followers.
2. True greatness is not in the man who is satisfied with himself. It is only in those with
whom I am satisfied. My standards for judging people are not like the standards of this
world. I shall not estimate your merits by your knowledge, nor by your position among men,
nor by your having visions and consolations. I shall estimate your worth by your humility
and by your charity. I shall look to see whether you think too much of yourself, or whether
you prefer My Will. I shall consider whether you seek My honor and glory in your daily
activities, or whether you seek your own advantage and honor.
3. Your highest perfection and glory lie in loving My truth above all else, in forgetting self
to the point of being humbled and despised for My sake. Do not consider your strength, nor
even your lack of strength. Fix your attention on My boundless power, wisdom, and love.
4. If you love My truth, you will praise My name, not yours. You will esteem and honor My
Will, not your puny human accomplishments. You will bless Me in all things, and you will
refuse to let the praises of people turn your head. You will never forget your littleness and
your nothingness.
THINK:
If I lack peace and contentment in my earthly life, it is because I have been following a false
standard. I judge many things from my own advantage and disadvantage, from my own likes
and dislikes. The only proof of goodness is God's approval. When God wants something
done, I should consider it a privilege to do it, even though I may dislike what is to be done,
or can see in it no advantage for myself. All other standards which disagree with this one,
are false and foolish.
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PRAY:
O Holy Ghost, my God and Sanctifier, Source of all true wisdom, grant me the light to
understand this holy standard in my daily life. Let me think straight and see Your holy Will
in all things. What people say, is right only if it agrees with Your holy Word. Only God is
great, and man's true glory lies in sharing Your greatness by following Your holy Will in his
daily life. By doing this, I will be reflecting Your eternal wisdom, goodness, and holiness in
myself. This is the highest glory possible to any creature. I hope for the grace to begin this
day to live according to this highest standard-the one and only standard of true greatness and
glory. Amen.

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 BOOK THREE
The Way of Union
PURIFIED OF ALL SERIOUS FAULTS and most of his lesser defects, and having proved
his unselfish loyalty to his divine King, Christ's loyal follower now finds himself longing for
a still more intimate union with God. In an effort to give himself completely to God, he
strives to use every actual grace which the Holy Spirit offers him throughout the day.
In due time God rewards such generosity by raising the soul to the highest spiritual level, the
way of union. The man in this stage of spiritual perfection finds his thoughts turning more
frequently and more easily to God. He is constantly aware of God's nearness. His
predominant desire in all his activities, is to give more of himself to God, by whatever form
of self-sacrifice his daily obligations will permit. In the joy of giving, his selfish interests
are abandoned altogether.
Under the influence of the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, life takes on a wonderful
simplicity. The generous follower of Christ has reached the mountaintop of spiritual
perfection. Now he lives not only for God, not only with Him, but in Him. The soul enjoys a
supernatural friendship undreamed of by worldly-minded men. Amid life's daily trials and
difficulties, Christ's generous follower finds a peace and joy which are a foretaste of
Heaven.

PART ONE: STRIVING FOR CLOSER UNION

CHAPTER 1

Union with God

CHRIST:

MY CHILD, as long as you are in sanctifying grace, the Holy Trinity dwells within your
soul. As long as you live free of mortal sin, I am with you in a supernatural union. The more
aware you become of this union, the more will you be influenced by it in your daily life.
2. Live an active interior life, so that you may gain the full benefit of this close friendship.
Through the various methods of prayer, learn to direct your mind and heart to Me often
throughout the day.
3. You will rise to great perfection in your daily life if you can center your occupations and
activities around Me. With such an interior life you will no longer be disturbed by the
people around you, nor by the tasks which face you, nor by the difficulties and trials which
come to you.
This union is the beginning of heavenly peace and joy. You will know My joy because you
will be aware of possessing Me. You will have My peace because you will love My Will
and follow it throughout the day. Not only will you live your life for Me, but you will live it

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with Me. You will be aware of My companionship in all that you do and suffer.

THINK:

As long as I am in sanctifying grace, the Blessed Trinity dwells within my soul. This interior
union would affect my daily life much more if I were more aware of it throughout the day. I
do not need to interrupt my activities, but I need only develop a habit of prayer. This habit
would help my mind turn frequently to God within me. In my spare time I would seek to
perfect my friendship with Him by reading, reflecting, and conversing with Him. My daily
burdens would be much lighter because I would be more aware that God shares them with
me. Human friendships would become more perfect because I would bring God's grace into
them. My way of thinking and living would help my friends come closer to God.
PRAY:
Holy Trinity, my God, You have been pleased to make my soul Your dwelling. You came to
me in baptism, intending to be my closest companion forever. As long as I do not reject
Your love by mortal sin, I can live this life of mine in union with You. My loving God, let
me be loyal to You, Who have been so loyal to me. Teach me to increase and strengthen this
heavenly friendship more and more each day. Your love for me is shown by a constant
giving. Let me give back some of Your numberless gifts by my wise and holy use of them.
Throughout the day, let me give You more of my thoughts, more of my desires, more of my
pleasures and satisfactions. I hope for the day when this life of mine will be lived in perfect
companionship with You, so that I may do all things for the highest reason-to please You.
Amen.

STRIVING FOR CLOSER UNION

CHAPTER 2
Union with God through Prayer
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when people march in a parade, they all keep the same step, the same rhythm,
and the same pace. They try to form one single unit with the others. When, however, the
parade is over, each person resumes his own way of walking. No two walk quite the same.
Due to their bodily structure, figure, athletic development, and other reasons, each person
has his own manner of walking. So too is it with prayer.
2. In public prayer all recite the same words, express the same sentiments, and assume the
same tone and tempo to form a group-prayer. In their private prayers, no two pray quite the
same. Each has his own personal touch in dealing with Me. For this reason different
methods of prayer have been developed in the history of the Church.
3. Some people like to pray with the help of prayer books; some prefer to think about My
words and apply them to their lives; some prefer to use their imagination, picturing Me near
and conversing with them; some like to contemplate the events of My earthly life and
imagine themselves as part of those events. There are people who like to pray for sinners,

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others who like to examine their lives frequently to see where they may please Me more;
and others who simply like to kneel or sit in My presence and enjoy My nearness.
4. Prayer is the raising of your thoughts and your will to Me. In prayer you stand before Me
with respect, with gratitude, with sorrow, and with desire. Prayer brings respect for My
infinite power and goodness, gratitude for My numberless gifts, sorrow for your sins and for
the sins of others, and desire for My mercy, for My assistance, and for My friendship.
5. Some people find it harder than others to attain this spiritual union with Me. Different
persons use different means to reach Me. Some need to think a while, others need a certain
posture of the body. Still others are dependent upon the place of their prayer. And so, again
you see how each finds Me in his own way. However, the prayer itself is the same for all. It
is a union with Me in thought and desire. Whatever one does to reach that stage, is only a
preliminary to prayer.
THINK:

By being a prayerful man, I will be letting God share in my life. He and I will be living and
acting together. I will be supplying the good will and He will supply the strength. In prayer I
unite my mind and will to God. Prayer is a friendly chat with Him. At times it is like a brief
look at a friend, a look filled with understanding and love. Prayer is independent of time and
place. I can raise my thoughts and desires to God at any time of the day or night, whether I
be at play or at work, alone or in a crowd. I can say more to God by just raising my mind to
Him than I could say to a human friend in an hour. He alone knows me perfectly, knows my
slightest wish, feeling, and thought.
God loves me so much that He actually wants to hear me talk to Him. He is truly pleased
with my attempts to converse with Him. His answer comes to me in the form of a holy
thought, desire, or resolution. Others may tire of hearing me talk, but God loves me so much
that He could listen to me forever. The more I chat with God, the better I come to know
Him. The better I know Him the more I will love Him in my daily life.
PRAY:
O Holy Ghost, my God, You Who bring heavenly light to my soul many times each day,
have watched me go along hour after hour showing so few signs of gratitude, love, sorrow
for sin, and so little respect for You. To You I owe all that I am and have. I must pray.
Without prayer I cut myself off from You. Without prayer I become less a man. Prayer
makes me a better and greater man because it draws me to You and You to me. Through
prayer You will teach me many things which I will not learn from books. By prayer I can
draw down upon myself and others many blessings and heavenly help for our daily labors
and difficulties. In spite of all my limitations, prayer is the one thing which I can always do
and do well. All I need is to tell You whatever is on my mind. I need no introduction to You.
I can talk to You as to an old friend, the only friend who understands me perfectly. Lord,
help me to pray often this day, be it but a few passing words from time to time. Amen.

STRIVING FOR CLOSER UNION

CHAPTER 3
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Intimacy with God
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, learn to converse with Me as a child talks with its mother. Let there be no
barriers between you and Me. Why should you find it easier to talk to human beings than to
Me? I know you better than anyone else.
2. Nowhere will you find the understanding, sympathy, and appreciation which I have.
Nobody else is as interested in you as I am. I love you infinitely more than anyone else does.
3. You are never alone. I am always with you, ready to share your burdens and solve your
problems. I walk with you at every step. No human being is capable of giving you the
perfect friendship which I offer you.

4. I know you far better than you know yourself. Do not treat Me as a stranger. Come to Me
without fear or anxiety. Have confidence in My love and mercy. I prefer to call you friend
rather than servant.
THINK:
If all my friends deserted me at this moment, I would still have the Friend who counts most,
my God and Saviour. If my own dear ones on earth became too occupied with their own
affairs to give me any attention, I would still get perfect attention from God, my loving
Father. Human beings can give me part of their affections and attention, but all the human
affection and attention on earth cannot compare with God's attention and love for me. At
every moment of my life, God is closer to me than anyone else could ever be. I live in the
palm of His hand, always present to Him and dependent on Him for my every breath. When
I am asleep or preoccupied with cares or pleasures, when my thoughts are far from myself,
even then God is thinking of me, interested in me, and keeping me alive. Truly, if I knew
how near God is to me at every step, I would live a more peaceful and happy life.
PRAY:
My God and Father, You want me to be a true child of Yours. You wish me to prove my
love for You as You have proved Your love for me; that is, by my daily actions. My Jesus,
you have called me friend. Your friends are those who strive to please You in their daily
lives. I can never do as much as You deserve of me, but at least I will try to do as much as I
can to please You. Frequently throughout the day, I will pause to cast an interior glance at
You. You love me more than I could ever love myself. You are my closest companion in my
daily journey toward Heaven. Amen.

STRIVING FOR CLOSER UNION

CHAPTER 4
Removing Obstacles
CHRIST:

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MY CHILD, strive to love Me so much that in all your activities your main desire will be to
please Me. Never let any person or thing diminish your self control. If I am to be your main
interest and your highest desire, you must abandon any created thing which attracts you too
strongly; that is, anything for which you might sin.
2. When you have arrived at this purity of soul, you will have abandoned the world even
though you must continue to live in it. Your thoughts and desires will no longer be
influenced by the foolish interests, selfish ambitions, and wrong standards of worldly
people. As they strive for worldly satisfactions and selfish goals, so will you strive to prove
a full love and loyalty to Me, the Eternal joy and Perfect Goal.
3. You insult Me if you make Me compete with any created being for your attention and
love. All things are the work of My hand. They are a feeble reflection of My boundless
goodness and beauty. No man is worthy of Me until he has learned to live an intelligent life,
placing. first things first. I must be the first and highest desire of your soul because I am the
all-perfect Fountain of all goodness. Any other way of living is false and unworthy of Me.
4. To achieve this glorious victory over your foolish and blind self-interest, is a great grace.
Many people believe that they already possess this grace, but their daily life proves that they
lack it in many things. One who reaches the fullness of this spiritual level, becomes free of
all fully deliberate sins.
5. Strive to reach this high perfection. Then you will think clearly and act intelligently in all
matters. Though you will never be free of all venial sins of weakness in this life, you must
never cease trying to be free of all unreasonable attachments to created beings. As often as
you are not striving for this perfection, you will not be taking full advantage of My grace.
THINK:
St. Ignatius says that we must pray as though the matter we desire depended entirely upon
God, and we must work as though it depended entirely upon ourselves. This is a sound
principle to follow because God always blesses good will, and good will is always proved
by effort. My goal must be to achieve in fact what I admit in theory; that is, to prefer God to
all created things, so that if I had to choose, I would be ready to abandon all for His sake. I
must not be content with eliminating mortal sins from my life. I am not to be satisfied even
when I have eliminated the deliberate venial sins over which I have full control. I must strive
to prefer God above all else by a positive mortification and a desire to decrease even my
legitimate needs. Only then will my quest for God's full friendship on earth be sincere.
PRAY:
All-perfect joy of my soul, all-satisfying Goal of my life, when shall I cease to let created
things distract me from You? Nothing can begin to compare with You. Why, then, do I not
see things for what they are? Grant me that freedom of soul which will help me conquer all
unreasonable attractions on earth. No other degree of love is worthy of You. Since my love
for You will never be full until I have reached this high spiritual perfection, let me at least
strive for it in my daily life. When my cowardly human nature shrinks from this goal help
me cry out in the wonderful prayer of St. Ignatius: Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to
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heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not ask for reward, save that of
knowing that I am doing Your will. Amen.

STRIVING FOR CLOSER UNION

CHAPTER 5

An Important Choice
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, people are frequently faced with choices in their earthly life. Choices big or
small, important or unimportant, are being made every day by everyone. When one chooses
one thing, he usually gives up something else. He who chooses to study law, is turning his
back on other professions which he might have chosen. You cannot have everything which
you desire. At times you will have to choose some things in preference to others.
2. The same is also true in the supernatural life. Some things draw you away from Me. If
you choose to save your soul, you must turn away from these things. One who is interested
only in avoiding hell, will tolerate many a deliberate venial sin in his daily life. He will not
make too much effort to eliminate these sins, because he does not choose to bear the
inconvenience which such an effort would involve. He wishes to enjoy his earthly life as far
as he can without endangering his eternal salvation.
3. Then again, some people choose to aim at a higher perfection. They seek to come closer
to Me by a serious effort to eliminate venial sin from their life, as far as they are able. They
turn away from little pleasures and satisfactions which make them less pleasing to Me.
4. Lastly, there are those who want to make Me their highest goal every moment of the day.
They strive to do all things without considering their own convenience or inconvenience.
They try to do the better thing, as often as this does not hurt their daily tasks or interfere
with their daily obligations. This last group are choosing Me by turning away from every
earthly satisfaction.
5. They still take the food, rest, and recreation which they need, but they now do so for a
new and higher reason. Before they did so for the legitimate pleasure and enjoyment which
they received from these things. Now, however, they take these things from a sense of duty
to Me, because I want them to do whatever is necessary for a good day's work. These are the
men who have succeeded in choosing Me in preference to all things. They are not content
with giving Me glory in their life, but they seek to give Me the highest degree of glory
possible.
6. He who seeks Me thus completely, finds My perfect peace, My firm and lasting
happiness, and his own highest perfection. I am more than any earthly accomplishment,
more than any human praise, more than any worldly satisfaction. Only cowardice, or
misguided self-interest can make you aim lower than this high perfection.
7. According as you limit your love for Me, will you have self-deception, spiritual poverty,
and discontent. The less you seek My love and friendship, the more do you harm yourself.
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You yourself will be limiting My generosity with you, because you will not use all of the
wonderful graces which I desire to give you.
THINK:
No man can enjoy all the good things on earth. He has to choose some things in preference
to others. I have the glorious privilege of making the greatest choice possible to man. I can
prefer the close companionship of Jesus to many other good, but imperfect, friendships.
Every other achievement and success has its day and passes away, but the friendship of
Jesus will endure forever. Not even death can dissolve it. How much do I really appreciate
this priceless treasure? My answer lies in what I am willing to abandon for it. How great a
price am I willing to pay for it?

PRAY:
O Jesus, King and Treasure of my soul, show me how I can make this highest of all choices
in my daily life. Give me the good sense to avoid all foolish extremes and impractical
judgments in following You. Let me not follow my own ideas in this quest for perfection.
Make me humble enough to follow directions, unselfish enough to keep trying and generous
enough to abandon my own petty satisfactions. Without pretence and without seeking to be
noticed, let me offer You as many of my natural pleasures and satisfactions as I am able.
With balanced judgment and good taste, help me prefer Your company to all other company
whenever I may do so. In all this, however, let me never neglect my duties, impede my
ability to do Your work, or offend against true charity. Amen.

STRIVING FOR CLOSER UNION

CHAPTER 6
Coming Closer
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when I am present to you, all is well and nothing seems too difficult. When I
speak to you, you need no human consolations. When I am silent, no human words can
console you. Seek to realize how truly I am your All. Whatever helps you in this life is only
an instrument of Mine.
2. It is a great accomplishment to know how to speak with Me. My conversation is with the
humble and the simple. I speak to those who do not have a false idea of their own
importance. My message is easily understood by those who do not complicate their lives
with too many interests and useless activities.
3. Show Me a true purity of soul. Refuse to depend too much on worldly consolation and do
not look over anxiously for earthly remedies. In using natural remedies, you must still see
My hand leading you on. You please Me very much when you put your confidence in My
understanding, interest, power, and love.
4. When you have learned to concentrate on Me, no achievement or occupation will distract
you too much from Me. You will refuse to let your desires become too strong, no matter
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how good they may be. At all times you will be ready to give up whatever you are doing if I
so wish. In all things, you will aim at nothing and desire nothing except My Will.
5. As far as you can control your earthly interests, only so far can you be united with Me. As
freedom from worldly desires brings you My peace, so does freedom from worldly self-
seeking bring you closer to My heart.
THINK:
No matter how good a work may be, I must not desire it so strongly that I lose my peace of
soul. No matter how hard I may work on something, I should not become over-eager for
success. God will bring success in His own way and in His own good time. My human
nature is always looking for self-satisfaction. I can guard myself against all unreasonable
self-love by abandoning myself to God's divine providence in all my undertakings. By
accepting the results as His holy Will, I shall be giving Him the kind of glory which He
desires of me. I shall eliminate all self-deception and shall attain true purity of heart. God
will find no obstacles in me and He will draw me into a lasting friendship with Him.
PRAY:
My Jesus, true center of my life, let my attention be so fixed on You that I may be aware of
You in everything I do. I will never separate myself from You by undue anxiety or over-
eagerness for success. In the good works which I perform, I want You to take charge. I
desire to surrender myself entirely to You in all my occupations. No longer shall my will
lead me on, but Yours. I shall always strive to make my best efforts. The results are Yours to
decide. My greatest joy from now on will be to work for love of You. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 7
Christ's Loving Invitation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, come to me when you labor and are burdened, and I shall refresh you. There
are many ways of coming to Me in your earthly life. You can approach Me in prayer,
meditation, reading, reflecting, in the confessional, and in the various sacraments. The most
excellent way of coming to Me, however, is Holy Communion.
2. I invite you to receive this heavenly privilege, so that I may give Myself to you in a very
special way. In Holy Communion you receive Me in person. I do not merely come near you,
but into your very soul. I make Myself as food for your soul, and grant you a greater share in
My life. I give you greater strength to live My way.
3. The bread which I give you in Holy Communion is My flesh. Take it and eat. This is My
body, which was delivered for you. He that eats My body and drinks My blood shall dwell
within Me as I dwell within him. During those precious moments we are together in a
special kind of union, unknown to worldly men.
4. These are My words, though I did not speak them all at one time nor in one place. The
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words which I speak are the words of eternal life. Meditate on them often. You will find life,
wisdom, and peace in them. You will never exhaust their richness.
THINK:
When Jesus first began to tell His followers about Holy Communion, some of them
objected. When they heard that they were to eat His body and drink His blood, a number of
them left Him. Jesus sadly looked on, as they walked away from Him, but He did not
restrain them nor call them back. If He had meant those words in some symbolic or
figurative way, surely He would not have permitted those loved ones to leave Him. He
would have kept them with Him by simply explaining His words. But no, He did not give
any explanation because He meant those words literally. He was really going to offer them,
and to me, His body and blood, which in some mysterious way were to act upon our souls as
food and drink act upon the body. All the other sacraments are signs of grace which God
grants through them. Holy Communion, however, is more than a sign of grace. It is the
living body and blood of Jesus. In a word, in Holy Communion Jesus comes to me in
person.
PRAY:
My God and my Saviour, of all the wonderful gifts which You have bestowed upon men in
this earthly life, none can begin to compare with the wonderful gift of the Holy Eucharist.
Under the appearances of bread and wine, You come to me in person, with Your body,
blood, soul, and divinity. Your love for me is so deep that You could offer me nothing less
than Yourself. This You did in a manner which reminds me of Your death upon the cross for
my sake. In the appearance of bread and wine I see You ready to be consumed in order to
give me eternal life. This holy sacrament is truly the most perfect image of Your boundless
love for me. Lord, let me make full use of this divine gift so that I may learn to give myself
to You in my daily life. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 8
Effects of Frequent Communion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I offer many special graces to those who receive Me often and devoutly in
Holy Communion. Those who take advantage of these graces make rapid strides toward
Christian perfection. I draw them closer to Myself throughout the day.
2. I make their minds more alert to occasions of sin, more awake to opportunities for virtue,
and more aware of My nearness throughout the day.
3. I teach them to think more often of Me, and less often of themselves. They gradually learn
to judge matters My way rather than to follow their own natural preferences and prejudices.
4. Though many at first seek their own advantage in pleasing Me, as they progress, they
forget their own advantage and think only of pleasing Me.

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5. They eventually find so much joy in My company that they are content to be without
human company as often as their daily obligations will permit. Their greatest consolation
and happiness is to have My friendship and to offer Me whatever they do throughout the
day.
6. Their prayer becomes more perfect because it loses much of the natural strain and effort
which came from earthly distractions and worldly interests.
THINK:

Frequent communion, well prepared for and well made, brings me my most perfect union
with Jesus in this earthly life. During these precious moments He works wonders within my
soul. I must go forth determined to make full use of Christ's graces throughout the day. He
will teach me how to go about my daily occupations without losing interior contact with
Him. Then shall I reach the wonderful heights of holiness which Jesus has prepared for His
truly loyal followers.
PRAY:
My sacramental King, holy Lamb of God, unworthy though I am of Your attention and love,
I cannot turn away from this heavenly privilege of Holy Communion. It is Your wish that I
enjoy it. In it you bestow on me the highest dignity possible to man or angel. As I kneel
there, joined to You, I wield my greatest power and exert my greatest influence before the
throne of God. Though this sacramental union lasts only a matter of minutes, grant that its
influence may be with me throughout the entire day. Let my mind think as Yours, and let
my will choose as You chose in Your own earthly life. I desire to live my daily life as
though I were sacramentally joined with You all day. Grant that I may place no obstacles to
the wonderful graces which You offer to me in Holy Communion. I shall do my best to
avoid all unnecessary distractions, I shall try to fulfill my daily tasks as well as I am
honestly able. Finally I desire to please You more by doing whatever extra good I can do
today. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 9
Tepidity Toward Holy Communion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, a number of people travel back and forth to visit the remains of My saints.
With admiration and interest they view the magnificent buildings erected in honor of the
saints, and they kiss their sacred bones, which are held in gold and silver. My saints deserve
all of this honor and more. Too often, however, people are drawn to these relics and holy
places by curiosity or some form of self-interest, rather than by contrition for sin and a
desire to draw closer to Me. The highest honor which you can pay the saints is to imitate
their virtues in your daily life.
2. Here upon the altar you will find not a relic, nor a monument to someone's memory, but

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Me, alive as ever, all-powerful, all-loving, all-perfect. All the treasures and wonders of this
world, whatever can attract the human heart, these things are nothing compared to what you
find upon the altar. You will not be drawn to Me by any curiosity or shallow virtue. Only a
firm faith, a steady hope, and a burning love will draw you to Me and keep you loyal to Me.
3. Consider how great must be the tepidity and negligence of this world, since so many fail
to take advantage of My gift of Holy Communion. It is sad to see how few are drawn to Me
with tender affection and wordless gratitude. In this sacrament I offer Myself, in Whom lie
all human hopes and merits for salvation.

THINK:
I should never cease to express my sorrow for the neglect and coldness which is shown to
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. How great must be His love for us, since He does not
become disgusted with so much ingratitude. People go to such trouble to see various objects
of beauty, curiosity, or entertainment. Yet, here upon the altar is the grandest, greatest, most
magnificent of all beings. How dull can the human mind be I How hard can the human heart
become I This is our all-loving Saviour, our God I In Him we live, and
move, and exist. Truly, without Him we are nothing. In Him alone shall I find perfect peace
and all-satisfying happiness.
PRAY:
My Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, how can I ever express the sympathy and sorrow which
should be expressed for the unbelievable foolishness which we show in our daily neglect of
You. The church is so crowded on Sunday with men and women who are ready to do what
they must do to save their souls. But on weekdays the same church has but a handful of
people who rise a little earlier to come and kneel at Your feet. Others will rise earlier for a
number of other reasons, but for an extra half hour with You, they will not do so. You offer
us so much in the Mass and in Holy Communion, yet we do so little to deserve Your
generosity and love. Lord, place my heart in Yours for a moment and inflame it with the fire
of Your love. Let me grow in appreciation of Holy Communion, so that I may come to You
more often. You desire to come to me that You may grant me more graces and blessings. In
Holy Communion the privilege is all mine. I shall never forget this again. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 10
Preparing for Holy Communion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, in order to gain as many blessings as possible from Holy Communion, make a
careful preparation for this glorious gift.
2. Brighten your soul with holy thoughts--thoughts on what I said or did in My earthly life
or what My loyal followers said about Me. Raise your will upwards with holy desires,
desires to please Me more in your daily life by avoiding this fault or practicing that virtue.

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3. Such efforts open your mind to greater light and dispose your will to greater generosity.
When I find these dispositions in you, I bestow greater graces on you than I would otherwise
have granted. I never miss a chance to draw you higher in holiness and perfection.
4. Each Communion holds unlimited opportunity for your soul. The limits are set by your
degree of interest and eagerness to follow Me wherever I invite you.
THINK:

One Communion well made can make me a saint. Yet, after SO many Communions I am
still very far from sanctity. This shows me that I have not taken advantage of God's great
gifts. I ought to use prayer books if they help improve my prayer. I should use whatever can
help me make a better preparation for Holy Communion.
In this way I shall not regret my carelessness later on. The more I prepare myself for Jesus,
the more shall I profit by His visit to me.
PRAY:
Lord, the more important an occasion, the more carefully do people prepare for it. No event
in my earthly life is more important than receiving You in Holy Communion. Let me
approach You often but let me never fail to do my best to prepare for this heavenly
privilege. I may not always have as much time, energy, or mental alertness as I would like to
have for You, but at least I can do what little is possible under the circumstances. I sincerely
wish to avoid the dullness of routine or laziness. I shall always use whatever means I have to
help me receive You humbly, reverently, and lovingly. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 11
A Diligent Preparation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, let Me show you the best preparation for Holy Communion. Do not act
mechanically, saying the words, but thinking of other things. Do not act with fear, as though
I were coming to find fault with you. I come to you because I want to come, because I love
you, and because you need Me. If I do not come to you, you will not enter into eternal life.
2. Let your preparation be an intelligent consideration of what you are about to do. Meditate
on your daily life, how it could be better for My sake. When you tell Me that you are
unworthy of Me, think of the different faults by which you fail Me, and resolve to do
something about them at once. With Me, love means action, definite action where it is
needed. Make your love for Me a love of action, and you will be best prepared for Holy
Communion.
3. There are no words to describe the privilege which I grant you in Holy Communion.
Avoid routine. Never become so accustomed to receiving Me that you lose your
appreciation of this privilege. Try to make every reception a grand occasion. Do it by putting
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variety into your preparation and thanksgiving. Do not always say the same prayers, nor
always follow the same method. One day meditate on My words or your daily life. On
another day say vocal prayers or read prayer books. At another time sing hymns within your
mind. Use variety and you will never fall into the dull rut of routine.
Do not let the thought of your unworthiness hold you back from Holy Communion Think
only of this, that I want you to receive Me because you need Me. For this reason I command
you to come to Me. If it were strictly a matter of worthiness, no one could ever receive Me.
THINK:
My daily life should be a continual preparation for Holy Communion. I ought to be ready
for Jesus any morning in the week. It will be so if my loyalty to Him is firm throughout my
daily activities. In spite of the aggravations which come along, I can keep a reasonable
amount of clear thinking and self control. To help me achieve this, I can make use of
religious articles, holy pictures, and pious habits. At various times during the day, I ought to
take a quick glance over my activities in order to see where I have failed or where I may
improve. Never should I come within distance of any church without making a visit, be it
ever so brief. As far as my duties will permit, I must try to make contact with Our Lord
every so often, praising Him, thanking Him, expressing sorrow for my sins, and asking for
the spiritual and material assistance which I need. If I really try to make my daily life a
preparation and a thanksgiving for Holy Communion, this holy Sacrament will work
miracles within me.
PRAY:
My Jesus, unappreciated and unloved by so many, let me give You some small part of the
honor and love which You deserve in the Blessed Sacrament. Frequently throughout the day
I shall express my desire to receive You. I want to show You my gratitude for this divine
gift. I wish to lay my needs before You, together with the spiritual and material needs of
others. I long to express my sorrow for my sins and the sins of the world. Never again will I
receive You through dull, thoughtless habit. Each reception will be an intelligent and loving
approach to You, my God and Saviour. Though I cannot prepare as You deserve, I shall at
least do my best to receive You more worthily. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 12
Spiritual Communion
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, receive Me in Holy Communion as often as you are able. Try to purify your
motives, so that you may eventually come to Me without any selfish consideration, but only
from a desire to please Me and to be with Me. When you have risen to this high spiritual
level, I shall grant you many special graces which you have not yet experienced.
2. One of these graces is the thirst of supernatural love. Your desire to be united with Me
will grow stronger and stronger. You will reach the point where you will wish to receive Me
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more than once a day. Not being able to do so sacramentally, you will turn to spiritual
communion as a remedy for your spiritual thirst.
3. With faith and love you will turn to Me frequently throughout the day, asking Me to come
to you as though in Holy Communion. Through spiritual communion you will seek to
imitate My sacramental visit in some small way. For the brief moments at your disposal you
will speak to Me, listen to Me, and act as though I had come to you in Holy Communion.
4. Though spiritual communion can never replace nor equal My sacramental presence, it is
an excellent method of prayer. It is very pleasing to Me and will bring you many extra
blessings throughout the day. I shall teach you to shut out the world around you for a while.
You will learn to be more aware of My nearness in your daily activities. You will appreciate
My friendship more deeply because you took the trouble to come closer to Me.

THINK:

Though there is no real substitute for the Blessed Sacrament, I can make frequent spiritual
communions to satisfy my spiritual thirst in some small way. When I ask our Lord to come
to me in spiritual communion, He is pleased and grants me many extra graces. Spiritual
communion will help me come closer to Jesus in my daily life. Yes, through this method of
prayer I can join my heart to Christ's as often as I choose. This is one desire with which
Jesus will cooperate every time.
PRAY:
My Jesus, close companion of my soul, I am tired of forgetting You in my daily activities.
Though you are present in Heaven, here on earth You are also present in various, less
perfect ways. In the Blessed Sacrament You are supernaturally present in Your divine and
human natures, just as when You walked the earth. Then, by sanctifying grace you are
present in my soul in a different manner. When You come to me in Holy Communion, Your
union with me becomes stronger and more active. Your human nature binds me more
securely to Your divinity. Your precious body and blood act like food within my soul,
helping me live Your life more perfectly. Though spiritual communion is a very imperfect
and incomplete substitute for Holy Communion, You are pleased at my wish to be united
with You once again. Since You also desire to see me live in constant union with You, You
will grant me wonderful graces each time I make an effort to come closer to You through
spiritual communion. I hope to make this effort more often as I go through my daily
occupations and activities. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 13
Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, if My true presence on the altar were limited to one place alone, many people
from all parts of the world would try to visit that place at some time or other in their lives.

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Yet, now that I have made it easy for all to come to Me, see how many visit Me only when
they are obliged!
2. Many people are so cold toward Me. Like children they are impressed only by what they
can touch and see. I have given them their greatest treasure in the Blessed Sacrament.
Through My Apostles and their successors, I have promised to be personally present
wherever the Blessed Sacrament is. Make every effort to be deeply impressed by this
greatest of all earthly gifts.
3. It is not enough for you to believe in My real presence upon the altar. I placed Myself
there for love of you. I wanted to be near you in some visible way, so that you might visit
Me as often as you wished. You should wish it as often as possible.
4. People come to Me for different reasons. Some come only on Sundays and holy days,
through a sense of obligation. Either they do not want to lose Heaven, or they desire My
help in their daily life. Then there are those who come to Me through mere habit. They act
automatically, without any particular devotion to Me. There are, however, a certain number
who come to Me for the best reason. They come because they are glad to be near Me. These
people please Me best of all. They receive many extra graces which are not granted to the
others.
5. Consider how devoted My saints were to Me. They seized every opportunity to visit Me
and stay with Me. They desired to abandon all useless interests so that they might have more
time with Me. In return for this generosity with Me, they received a clearer understanding of
My boundless goodness and a deeper appreciation of My infinite love.
6. You, too, have the opportunity to give Me more of your time and attention. Make a
greater effort to come closer to Me in friendship. You have the privilege of kneeling before
Me like the simple, wonderful shepherds; the tired, admiring Magi; the suffering, begging
leper; the penitent, hopeful Magdalene; the convinced, converted Thomas. How are you
taking advantage of this privilege?
7. How much easier it will be for you to face Me in your judgment if you have loved to face
Me often during your earthly life. Each visit to Me is an act of faith, of love, and of self-
purification. Come to Me often, so that I may shower more of My gifts upon your soul.

THINK:

One who neglects Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament hurts himself more than he realizes. By
frequent visits I come closer to that wonderful union with God which He desires to grant me
in my daily life. Each visit can bring me nearer to Him in true friendship. I need no special
formula, no particular prayers, no unusual requirements. All that I need is to present myself
before Him, talking if I so wish, listening if I am so disposed, or simply staying with Him.
He is more interested in me than anyone else. Though I may feel very dull, He is interested
in my thoughts, my desires, my needs, hopes, ambitions, efforts, and labors. My daily life is
a matter of the highest importance to Him. He is glad to see me come because each visit
gives Him another excuse to grant me more blessings. He is there for love of me. I ought to
visit Him often for love of Him.

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PRAY:
My Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament, I have not shown You half the
appreciation which I owe You. Grant me the grace to grow in this appreciation. You deserve
far more attention than I have shown You. How often could I come to You with a slight
effort or even inconvenience to myself! Yet, I fail to do so.
I do not treat my human friends half so neglectfully as I treat You. This sacrament is a living
proof of Your love for me. I hope to show my love for You by a greater devotion toward
You from now on. You will see me more than just once a week. As often as I am reasonably
able, I shall visit You. I want to give You more of my attention, my time, my interest, and
my life. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 14
The Meaning of Self-Obligation
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, self-oblation is another name for self-offering. When you offer yourself to Me,
it means that you place yourself at My disposal, so that I may do as I please with you. It
means that you will try to direct your thoughts, desires, and actions as I desire. It means that
you will never deliberately contradict My Will in any detail.
2. Self-oblation necessarily involves the offering of whatever you possess, whether it be
talent, occupation, opportunities, friends, and everything else. True, such an offering does
not necessarily mean that you are to deprive yourself of these things. It usually means that
you will now deal with them and use them only to please Me.
3. Everyone is obliged to abandon whatever leads him into sin. However, the man who
makes an act of self-oblation aims higher than simply avoiding sin. He seeks to please Me in
a positive way, by practicing as many virtues as he can in his daily life. In his desire to
belong more surely to Me, he tries to use things more from necessity than for personal
satisfaction. In order to avoid all self-deceit, he would rather have less than more of this
world's good things, he prefers to obey rather than command, he would sooner follow than
lead.
4. In all of these desires and efforts my loyal followers desire only My greater glory. They
are ready to change any of their plans or intentions, if I should so wish. In their self- oblation
they are no longer interested in acquiring anything for their own honor or earthly
satisfaction. Their main purpose in life is to please and honor Me. They strive to center their
life around Me. Many more people would reach this high level of perfection if only they
would pause long enough to think of it, desire it, and try to reach it.
THINK:
Many people fear self-oblation because they think that it would make them slaves in mind
and body. Yet this high level of perfection would actually lead them to true interior liberty

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and perfect peace of soul. In seeking to follow God's holy Will more perfectly, I am
following my own highest good, my greatest perfection, my most enduring peace and
happiness. Only in self-oblation am I living my daily life most fully, most intelligently, and
most profitably. I shall have the highest purpose possible to man, to give eternal praise to
God and to obtain eternal life with Him. This is the purpose for which God Himself made
me. Can I aim at anything less?
PRAY:
Eternal Father, my Creator, to You I owe absolutely all things which make my daily life
worth while. From you I receive each moment of life as a personal gift. I ought to offer
myself to You because You own all that I am and have. Jesus, Your divine Son, has given
me a perfect example of self-oblation in delivering Himself up as a victim for my sins.
Every thought, word, and deed of His, from the crib to the cross, was offered to You for my
sake. Can I hesitate to return such generous love in my own small way? Even today I can
see the self-oblation of Jesus in every Mass and in every tabernacle, where He resides in the
Blessed Sacrament. He is there for love of me. What shall I do to repay such unbounded
love? Grant me the courage to make my daily life a self-oblation. I hope in You for the
strength to continue this effort all of ray life. Amen.

UNION THROUGH THE HOLY EUCHARIST

CHAPTER 15
Self-Oblation Through the Mass
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, every moment of My earthly life was an act of self-oblation. As man I had a
human will, and as God I have My divine Will, which I possess in unity with My heavenly
Father and the Holy Spirit. As a victim for your sins, I submitted My human will to the
divine Will. By My obedience and self-sacrifice I made reparation for your sins, opened the
gates of Heaven to YOU, and earned the graces which you need in Order to enter eternal
life.
2. On the cross I hung in agony, the perfect victim for sin. By My self-sacrifice the divine
justice was completely satisfied. As man I represented all men, and as God I was worthy to
blot out the offense which sin hurled at the Holy Trinity.
3. I instituted the holy sacrifice of the Mass to remind you of My self-oblation upon Calvary.
In it I continue the work which I began upon Calvary. In each Mass My body and blood are
offered to My Father as an act of perfect adoration, thanksgiving, reparation, and petition for
your needs. As I once represented you upon the cross, so, now in each Mass, do I represent
you upon the altar. As the Mass is Mine because I am the victim and high-priest in it, so,
too, is it yours because it was instituted entirely for your salvation.
4. In each Mass I am still performing My supreme act of love for you. I am there for your
sake, doing what you yourself should be doing; namely, begging pardon for your sins,
adoring the Divine Majesty, thanking My heavenly Father for His numberless gifts, and
asking for your daily needs. You should be devoted to Me in the Mass, because in the Mass
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I show once again My devotedness to you.

5. Your devotedness to Me will be proved most perfectly when you have learned to join
your daily life to the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Attend Mass as often as possible. Then go
forth and prove your love for Me by transforming your daily life into your Mass for Me. In
other words, as I offer Myself upon the altar for love of you, so should you offer yourself for
love of Me in your daily occupations and activities. Thus there will be a close bond between
My work for you and your daily work.
6. This will make your daily life a perfect self-oblation. No longer will you seek what you
like, at any price. For My sake you will guard your patience, your generosity, your
confidence in Me, and your desire to please Me in all things. In your disappointments,
difficulties, fears, failures, efforts, and labors, you will unite your will to Mine. You will
seek to belong ever more perfectly to me by practicing greater self control and mortification.
As I offer Myself to you in Holy Communion, so must you learn to make each act of yours
an act of self-offering to Me.
THINK:
Many important activities are taking place today in the lives of individuals and of nations.
Of all the activities and events occurring this day, the greatest and most important by far is
the holy sacrifice of the Mass. This is the central action of all salvation. It is the main source
of God's grace. The greatest blessings and benefits of Calvary are brought to us today
through the Mass. As each second of my life is a continuation of God's creation, so does
each sacrifice of the Mass continue Jesus' redeeming sacrifice on Calvary. In attending Mass
I behold the loving self-oblation of Christ as truly as the mob which stood at the foot of the
cross. Will I be content with assisting at Mass only when I am obliged to do so? Should I
not be eager to attend as many Masses as possible?
PRAY:
My loving Saviour, truly active in each sacrifice of the Mass, I have not appreciated You
enough in this wonderful act of love. No one on earth does as much for me as You do in
each Mass. This is the central act of Your Church, just as You are the center of Your
religion. I hope to make the Mass the main activity of my daily life. My union with You
throughout the day will be strengthened through the holy sacrifice of the Mass. I shall act
most perfectly for You when I have learned to make Your Mass a regular part of my daily
activities. Lord, I will do my best to learn more about the Mass in order to grow in
appreciation of it. Help me become devoted to You in the Mass, where You are so devoted
to Me. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 16

Seeing God's Hand in All Things

CHRIST:

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MY CHILD, what I said to My disciples, I also say to you: As the Father has loved Me, I
also love you. All men receive life and strength from Me, be they great or little, rich or
poor, talented or dull. I am the fountain of all good.
2. I know what is needed by each individual. For good reasons of My own, I decide who
shall have more and who shall have less. He who has little ability need not become sad
because of it, nor should he envy the man who has many talents. Fix your eyes on Me.
Leave your life in My hands, and you will find it easy to avoid all envy and complaints.
3. It is My love for you which makes Me treat you as I do. Your present trials and sufferings
are as much My gift as the satisfaction and consolations which I send you. Some day you
will understand why I dispense My gifts unequally among people. You will then praise and
thank the wisdom which now puzzles you.
4. Too often you see only the natural and human causes which disturb you. Look beyond
these and see My loving hand guiding you on toward your perfection and eternal glory. In
your difficulties and real needs I am ever near to assist you and protect you from harm. Not
all that you fear is bad for you, nor is all that you desire, good for you. Seek Me above all
else. I shall lead you to your unending happiness in Heaven.
THINK:
One of the consequences of genuine union with God, is that it makes one think clearly and
correctly. When I have attained this union, I will find reason to praise Him even when life
seems dark and unbearable. Knowing that God's love rules every moment of my life, I shall
seek his honor in all things. Whether I am a success or a failure in my plans and efforts,
whether I experience joy or sorrow, my only wish will be to please and honor Him in every
thought, word, and deed.
PRAY:
My Lord and loving God, You manage my life with an all-wise providence. You take care
of me at every moment. If I were the only person on earth, You could not give Me more
attention, nor more love than You give me at present. I need not look at others, despising
those who have less than I, or envying those who have more. I need only keep my eyes on
You and let You govern my life. When I see You face to face, as I hope to do some day in
Heaven, I will see how wise and loving You are in Your care of me. Then will I understand
how all-deserving You are of my perfect confidence and loyalty. Then I shall wish that I had
spent all of my time on earth praising and thanking You in all my accomplishments. I shall
realize at last how completely I depend on You for all things, and how helpless I am without
Your blessing. Let me not wait until then, when the truth will be easy to admit. Grant me the
grace to do so now in my every action. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 17
Gratitude to God
CHRIST:
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MY CHILD, all things were made by Me, and without Me nothing can exist. I am the center
of all existence and the source of all truth. In your daily life you must love truth. I am
pleased with the honest man, the man who lives his life according to the truth. Face facts
and admit them in your thoughts, words, and actions.
2. The truth is, that you are the work of My hands, dependent on Me for every moment of
your existence and for everything in your daily life. This truth demands that you be grateful
to Me. I cannot allow you to act as though you deserved the talents, opportunities, and good
things in your daily life. Such an attitude would be a lie. I owe you nothing, while you owe
Me everything, absolutely every good thing which you have or enjoy.
3. In every breath, in every heartbeat, in every thought, word, and deed, you receive My
assistance. In many ways it is I who serve you, rather than you who serve Me. Unworthy as
you are, My generosity never ceases to help you. My goodness never turns away from you.
My love cares for your needs every second of the day and night.
4. I have given you the intelligence to realize this truth, and the free will to admit it in your
daily life. Be true to that intelligence and make good use of that freedom by often showing
your gratitude to Me. Your gratitude will be imperfect if it is in words alone. You must
perfect it by action. Be humble in your attitude toward others. Be patient with those who
cannot live up to your expectations. Be kind and generous with those who need your help.
Your good example will help others please Me more in their own lives. This is your daily
proof of sincere gratitude to Me.
THINK:
Can I ever forget my complete dependence on God? Yet, do I not forget it in my daily life?
How often I am guilty of foolish pride, shallow vanity, blind self-seeking, and childish self-
satisfaction. Without God's loving support I am nothing. My true greatness lies in accepting
this fact and living according to it. How differently I will treat those around me, when this
truth has become a part of my ordinary thinking. Only then will I be a man of truth. Only
then will I be a man after God's own heart.
PRAY:
My God and my All I Dear Lord, make this the frequent cry of my heart I Let me never
forget how very truly You are my All. All the good things which have made my life worth
while, not only those which I know, but also those of which I am unaware, every one of
these things is a loving gift from You. No matter how much I think of my welfare, no matter
how much I desire my own good, You think of my good and provide for my welfare far
more than I ever could. Lord, let me prove my deep gratitude, not just with words, but as
You desire. I wish to prove it with a daily life which seeks first and foremost to please You.
I want to take each gift of Yours today and return it to You by my intelligent and unselfish
use of it. In my dealings with people, I hope to treat them with some of the generosity, love,
and consideration which You have shown to me. In all my thoughts, in all my words, in all
my actions today, I hope to shout a heartfelt Thank You to You. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

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CHAPTER 18
Peace and Joy in God Alone
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, when you have risen so high in virtue that you seek comfort and satisfaction
from Me before all earthly remedies, I shall bestow on you the grace of knowing Me
intimately and of enjoying My friendship as never before. Your interior peace will no longer
be disturbed by daily events. No more will you be attached to what you have, nor complain
about what you lack. You will place yourself entirely in My hands. I shall be your main
interest, and nothing will ever again take My place in your life.
2. I am the fountain of true peace and lasting joy. Keep close to Me in your daily life. The
man whose main interests are on earth, does not know the meaning of true peace. His joys
are temporary and rapidly passing. No person or thing on earth can fully satisfy the thirst
within your soul. You were made for Me, and I alone can bring you the perfect, all-
satisfying happiness which you seek.
3. This supernatural friendship requires that you give your heart entirely to Me. This simply
means that you will give due attention to every person and every duty in your daily life,
without giving them any more attention and time than they deserve. Your main desire must
be to give Me all the attention and time possible each day.
4. If you make reservations in your self-surrender, if in anything you seek your own desires
rather than My Will, you will be hindering Me from giving you the special graces which I
want to bestow on you. Your union with Me will be imperfect, and you will not be ready for
My higher gifts. Offer Me the actions of your day. Repeat your offering at different times,
and renew your intention to shut out all worldly self-seeking. In due time, when you have
proved yourself, you will receive My most wonderful graces.
THINK:
Peace and joy! For these does every an strive all through life. Whatever people do in their
daily life, they do it to gain some measure of peace and joy. Since created things are only a
reflection of God, they can give me only a small share of the all-satisfying peace and joy
which my soul craves. In God alone shall I find that perfect happiness which will set my
heart at rest. No matter how hard it may be for me to surrender myself to God's holy Will, I
should never forget that it is a very small price to pay for so perfect a reward. When I have
succeeded in giving myself to God without any reservations, then will God give Himself to
me so completely that I shall neither need nor desire anything else.
PRAY:
My God, I feel attracted to this person at one time and to that one at another time.
Sometimes one thing interests me, and sometime another. Yet, in all of these persons and
things, what really attracts me is a reflection of Your own unlimited goodness and beauty.
Without realizing it, it is really You that I seek. Since these created beings are so imperfect,
they cannot give me the complete, all-satisfying happiness that I desire. This yearning for

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perfect happiness is in my very nature, and I cannot destroy it without destroying myself.
Grant me, therefore, the wisdom to advance each day closer to You, by a well regulated life.
Let me find my true peace in the fulfillment of Your holy Will. Fill my soul with the joy of
possessing You more consciously in my thoughts and in my every act. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 19
Looking Forward to Heaven
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, in your daily life think often of Heaven. Do not let earthly desires dim the
vision of your last and highest goal. This vision mill bring you peace in adversity and joy in
time of trial.
2. In Heaven you shall have more than you have ever desired, more than you ever imagined.
You will never know the end of your joy, nor will you be tormented by the fear of losing
what you love. You will always have what you want, and you will always want what is best.
You will share My knowledge, and My happiness will fill your soul.
3. In Heaven no one shall ever have reason to complain about you. No one will resist you
nor spoil your plans. You will enjoy at one and the same time all the things you love. I shall
give you a glory undreamed, as a reward for your victories over temptation on earth. You
will receive an all-satisfying praise for your patience and for your loyalty to Me in your
earthly trials. My infinite love for you will be I shown in gifts unmatched on earth.
THINK:
Human language could never describe Heaven. Why? Because in all human experience
there are no words which can tell us what Heaven is like. St. Paul was granted a vision of
Heaven, and yet he could not tell us what it is like. All he could say was that we have never
seen, nor heard, nor even imagined what Heaven is like. This thought of Heaven's greatness
should impress me very much. Every moment brings me nearer to this all-glorious life. How
small and insignificant are my earthly sufferings and trials when compared with this all-
satisfying, never-ending reward!
PRAY:
O Jesus, King of Glory, the thought of Heaven arouses within me the desire to practice more
virtues in my daily life. It gives me a firm determination to despise whatever hinders my
spiritual perfection. You made me for eternal glory, and in this earthly life you have granted
me the opportunity to prove my sincere desire for that glory. Even though I seek peace and
happiness in everything that I do on earth, I shall never know the perfect happiness which
my heart seeks until I have entered into Heaven. Help me see this earthly life through Your
eyes. Let me never lose an opportunity to resist evil and do good in this earthly life. May my
love of good works grow. I wish to do more and more for love of You. If You love me
enough to grant me the perfect reward of Heaven, should I not love You enough to give
myself to You for the rest of my life on earth? I hope to imitate Your boundless generosity
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in my own limited, human way from now on. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 20
The Nature of Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, love is the greatest virtue in any man. It makes him resemble Me most closely.
Love brings many other virtues into the soul. It makes a man devoted, sincere, patient, loyal,
long-suffering, courageous, sensitive, prudent, unselfish, pleasant, and strong.
2. Where love reigns, there you will always find generosity. Love desires only one thing, to
please the loved one. The love of Me makes a man humble, honest, serious-minded without
strain, careful to avoid sin, eager to practice virtue, obedient to superiors, unselfish with
equals, kind to inferiors.
3. The pure love of Me makes a man willing to suffer anything for My sake. He carries his
burdens without feeling the weight. He seeks to do more rather than less. He never
complains nor gives up hope. He is willing to try anything, even the impossible, for My
sake. He accomplishes many things which selfish people fear even to attempt.
4. When pure love fills a man's heart, he is always looking for more to do for Me. He finds
joy in fatigue, because he looks on this as a proof of his love. His love for Me makes him
eager to do great things for Me. It helps him see the incompleteness of worldly satisfactions.
He seeks Me, the all-perfect Good, the all-satisfying Goal.
5. Nothing is sweeter than this pure love for Me. Nothing is stronger, nothing is higher,
nothing is more far-reaching, nothing is more complete, nothing is better in Heaven or on
earth. Such love is My gift to the generous. It will never be perfectly content until it
possesses Me in Heaven.
THINK:
True love consists in wanting to give. It is a reasonable thing. It sees the worth of the loved
one, and seeks to please him. God deserves my purest love because He is all-good. He
deserves my first and highest love because He is the Highest Good. I can never do too much
for Him. In fact, I can never do enough for Him. The better I come to know Him, the more
clearly shall I see that He deserves the best within me at all times.
PRAY:
My God and my All! To one who understands You, those words mean a great deal I My
God and my All -so much truth is contained in those few words. When You are near, life
means so much, but when I lose sight of You, I become tired and disgusted with myself and
with everything else. Teach me to love You in all things and above all things. Let me see
You near in all that I experience. Make me glad to do things for love of You. I want to do
ever more and more for Your sake. In looking at You, I desire to forget myself. I wish to
abandon my own desires and do only what will please You. Grant me light to see how this
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may be done in my daily life. Grant me also the generosity to follow Your light. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 21
Loving God Above Creatures
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, whatever is not God, is a creature. Every person and thing which I have
created, is a creature. You must prefer Me to all creatures. No creature can compare with
Me. Whatever goodness you see in any creature, is only a reflection of My boundless
goodness. Nothing on earth can bring you the perfect joy which I shall one day give you in
Heaven. When this earthly life is over, you will realize how little and imperfect all creatures
are in comparison with Me.
2. If your main interests are on earth, you will always prefer to think of earthly things or
people. You will always want what is pleasant and you will even sin to avoid what is
disagreeable.
3. If, however, I am your main interest, you will prefer Me to all creatures. You will prove
this preference by striving to please Me ever more in your daily life. You will give Me more
of your time and attention. You will seek to come ever closer to Me by reading, reflecting,
prayer, and spiritual guidance. Your chief desire in all your daily activities will be to please
Me, whether the matter at hand be pleasant or unpleasant.
4. As long as any person or thing has power to draw your will away from Me, I am not your
main interest. Creatures may attract your feelings, capture your imagination, and arouse your
unreasoning desires, but they have no real power over you until they influence your will. As
long as you do not follow unreasonable earthly attractions, you belong to Me.
5. Seek to simplify your daily life more and more. Get rid of all unnecessary interests.
Concentrate on the things which make you more like Me. Strive to think more like Me, to be
more helpful to those around you, and to keep both your attention and your intention
centered on Me. As you advance in this simplicity, creatures will have less and less power
over you.
THINK:
It is not wrong to love people and to desire the good things which will improve my earthly
life. In fact, since these are all reflections of God's goodness, they should be loved and
desired. I do wrong, however, when I love any person or desire anything more than they
deserve. This happens whenever I am ready to sin for their sake. At such times I prefer these
creatures to God. My dealings with all persons and things should be reasonable and sinless.
God wants me to live an orderly life, placing first things first. Only then can I say that I love
Him above all creatures.
PRAY:
Dear God, Creator of all things, You have made a beautiful world. I find myself constantly
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attracted to different persons and things. They attract me because they reflect some
perfection of Yours. However, they are imperfect reflections, and they are not always as
good for me as they seem. Help me to please You by using these things or abstaining from
them, according as they deserve. Whatever brings disorder into my life, is bad for me.
Whatever makes me more pleasing to You, is good for me. I sincerely desire to love You
above all things created. I hope to do this by pleasing You every hour of the day. No person
nor created thing shall ever again induce me to sin. I shall strive to be more like Jesus in my
use of creatures. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 22
Transforming Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, how great a man is, depends on how much he loves Me. You will understand
this truth clearly if you understand My saints. They wanted the best, labored for the best,
and lived only for the best. I am the best. Compared with Me, all earthly goodness and
beauty fade away.
2. This desire and love for the best, raised My saints above themselves, raised them high
above all earthly things. They saw the best in Me and devoted their lives to Me. Nothing on
earth could turn their thoughts and desires away from Me. Their love was purified like the
finest gold. They underwent all kinds of sufferings in soul and body, but they continued to
choose My Will in these trials.
3. I showered My graces upon these generous souls. As they made good use of these graces,
a wonderful transformation took place within them. Their minds became sharper, so that
they could see ever more clearly the highest value of their daily activities. Their will gained
strength, so that no temptation or adversity could draw them away from My Will. As their
generosity with Me grew, self-interest faded. Their love for Me became entirely selfless.
4. Self is forgotten only when one has found a higher interest, a more perfect good. I
revealed Myself in mysterious ways to My saints. In their pure love for Me, they lived above
worldly attractions and earthly joys. They knew a peace which worldly men do not even
suspect. Theirs was a happiness unknown to the earthly-minded.
THINK:
What miracles the love of Jesus can work within me, if only I will surrender myself to it!
Such a surrender is no great mystery, nor is it a straining effort which will destroy my health
of body or mind. It consists firstly in trying to know Him better through reading, reflecting,
and praying; secondly, in trying to imitate Him more perfectly in my daily life. As I come to
know Him better, I shall love Him more fully. By my daily effort to imitate Him, my love
will be purified of selfish motives. He will put me to the test, so that I may see myself as I
really am. When I have proved my readiness to give Him all, He will raise me up to new
heights of knowledge and love. Then shall I know by experience the transforming power of
supernatural love.
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PRAY:
Jesus, King of my soul, in You alone shall I find the greatness for which You made me. My
greatest glory on earth is to surrender myself to You. With St. John the Baptist, I want my
motto to be: Jesus must increase, while I must decrease. Yes, Lord, I want You to take
over my life, and live it as You please. Grant me the privilege of being in Your hands,
directed by Your thoughts, Your desires, Your Will. I shall reach my greatest glory on earth
when I can exclaim: It is no longer I who live this life of mine, but Christ Who lives it
within me. Only a great love for You can achieve this heavenly transformation within me.
Grant such a love. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 22
Transforming Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, how great a man is, depends on how much he loves Me. You will understand
this truth clearly if you understand My saints. They wanted the best, labored for the best,
and lived only for the best. I am the best. Compared with Me, all earthly goodness and
beauty fade away.
2. This desire and love for the best, raised My saints above themselves, raised them high
above all earthly things. They saw the best in Me and devoted their lives to Me. Nothing on
earth could turn their thoughts and desires away from Me. Their love was purified like the
finest gold. They underwent all kinds of sufferings in soul and body, but they continued to
choose My Will in these trials.
3. I showered My graces upon these generous souls. As they made good use of these
graces, a wonderful transformation took place within them. Their minds became sharper, so
that they could see ever more clearly the highest value of their daily activities. Their will
gained strength, so that no temptation or adversity could draw them away from My Will. As
their generosity with Me grew, self-interest faded. Their love for Me became entirely
selfless.
4. Self is forgotten only when one has found a higher interest, a more perfect good. I
revealed Myself in mysterious ways to My saints. In their pure love for Me, they lived above
worldly attractions and earthly joys. They knew a peace which worldly men do not even
suspect. Theirs was a happiness unknown to the earthly-minded.

THINK:

What miracles the love of Jesus can work within me, if only I will surrender myself to it!
Such a surrender is no great mystery, nor is it a straining effort which will destroy my health
of body or mind. It consists firstly in trying to know Him better through reading, reflecting,
and praying; secondly, in trying to imitate Him more perfectly in my daily life. As I come to
know Him better, I shall love Him more fully. By my daily effort to imitate Him, my love
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will be purified of selfish motives. He will put me to the test, so that I may see myself as I
really am. When I have proved my readiness to give Him all, He will raise me up to new
heights of knowledge and love. Then shall I know by experience the transforming power of
supernatural love.
PRAY:
Jesus, King of my soul, in You alone shall I find the greatness for which You made me. My
greatest glory on earth is to surrender myself to You. With St. John the Baptist, I want my
motto to be: Jesus must increase, while I must decrease. Yes, Lord, I want You to take
over my life, and live it as You please. Grant me the privilege of being in Your hands,
directed by Your thoughts, Your desires, Your Will. I shall reach my greatest glory on earth
when I can exclaim: It is no longer I who live this life of mine, but Christ Who lives it
within me. Only a great love for You can achieve this heavenly transformation within me.
Grant such a love. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 22
Transforming Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, how great a man is, depends on how much he loves Me. You will understand
this truth clearly if you understand My saints. They wanted the best, labored for the best,
and lived only for the best. I am the best. Compared with Me, all earthly goodness and
beauty fade away.
2. This desire and love for the best, raised My saints above themselves, raised them high
above all earthly things. They saw the best in Me and devoted their lives to Me. Nothing on
earth could turn their thoughts and desires away from Me. Their love was purified like the
finest gold. They underwent all kinds of sufferings in soul and body, but they continued to
choose My Will in these trials.
3. I showered My graces upon these generous souls. As they made good use of these graces,
a wonderful transformation took place within them. Their minds became sharper, so that
they could see ever more clearly the highest value of their daily activities. Their will gained
strength, so that no temptation or adversity could draw them away from My Will. As their
generosity with Me grew, self-interest faded. Their love for Me became entirely selfless.
4. Self is forgotten only when one has found a higher interest, a more perfect good. I
revealed Myself in mysterious ways to My saints. In their pure love for Me, they lived above
worldly attractions and earthly joys. They knew a peace which worldly men do not even
suspect. Theirs was a happiness unknown to the earthly-minded.
THINK:
What miracles the love of Jesus can work within me, if only I will surrender myself to it!
Such a surrender is no great mystery, nor is it a straining effort which will destroy my health

~ 203 ~
of body or mind. It consists firstly in trying to know Him better through reading, reflecting,
and praying; secondly, in trying to imitate Him more perfectly in my daily life. As I come to
know Him better, I shall love Him more fully. By my daily effort to imitate Him, my love
will be purified of selfish motives. He will put me to the test, so that I may see myself as I
really am. When I have proved my readiness to give Him all, He will raise me up to new
heights of knowledge and love. Then shall I know by experience the transforming power of
supernatural love.
PRAY:
Jesus, King of my soul, in You alone shall I find the greatness for which You made me. My
greatest glory on earth is to surrender myself to You. With St. John the Baptist, I want my
motto to be: Jesus must increase, while I must decrease. Yes, Lord, I want You to take
over my life, and live it as You please. Grant me the privilege of being in Your hands,
directed by Your thoughts, Your desires, Your Will. I shall reach my greatest glory on earth
when I can exclaim: It is no longer I who live this life of mine, but Christ Who lives it
within me. Only a great love for You can achieve this heavenly transformation within me.
Grant such a love. Amen.

Chapter 23:The Fullness of Love [Missing] UNION THROUGHOUT

THE DAY CHAPTER 24
The Test of True Love
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, many an affection is mistaken for true love until it is put to the test. Only time
and trials prove how genuine your love for Me is. Both the time and the trials are given to
you in your daily life.
2. Do not fail Me in your daily activities. Keep up your good resolutions. Do not allow your
good will to grow cold, but as the day progresses renew your intentions. Otherwise, when
adversity comes you will look for relief, instead of accepting it and offering it to Me as a
sacrifice.
3. Today will bring you a number of occasions to prove your love for Me. When
disappointments, difficulties, and failures come, do not let them frighten, sadden, nor
discourage you. Do what you can to solve your problems intelligently, and if they are
beyond your control, accept them as My Will.
4. As you were pleased when I sent you pleasant things, so too should you willingly accept
any unpleasant things which I may send. Keep your eyes on the Giver, not on the gift. See
My love for you, My wisdom, and My eternal purpose for you. Refuse to feel sorry for
yourself, or even to consider yourself. In all things let Me direct your life.
5. Do not be ashamed to serve others for My sake. I want you to live each moment for Me.
Keep your eyes on Me in all things. Bless Me as much when life is disagreeable as when it
is pleasant. If you know Me well, you will never stop praising Me, even if I give you no
more gifts.
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THINK:
Am I a fair weather friend of Christ's, or am I a true and loyal friend? My daily life is the
answer. My attitude, my desires, my actions when things are difficult and unpleasant -these
prove how much I belong to Jesus. I need to keep this fact before me throughout the day,
especially at the very moment when my self-love tends to rebel at the people who make my
life harder. Instead of resenting my unpleasant circumstances, I can prove my true self-
surrender to Christ. When I must bear the unexpected and undesirable, then do I prove
beyond all doubt, my degree of love for God. I show either a partial, compromising love or a
pure, selfless love.
PRAY:
My God and Saviour, all things that occur today, are under Your guidance and control. Even
the evil which others will do to me, even this You permit for Your own good reasons. In
accepting life's daily trials, I cooperate with Your all-wise providence and I help fulfill Your
eternal plan. To the worldly-minded, I will seem a fool, but it is great wisdom to be such a
fool. This is the foolishness of God which will overcome the wisdom of this world. I
therefore offer to You all that I am and all that I have. Grant me light to see how this
offering may be put into practice today. Give me courage and generosity to follow Your
light in all that happens. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 25
Generosity with Christ
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, many desire My heavenly Kingdom, but few desire My cross. A large number
of people seek My consolation, but few care for My trials. All wish to rejoice with Me, but
very few are willing to suffer anything for My sake.
2. I see so many people follow Me as long as they experience no trouble. They bless Me
while I send them pleasant things, but when I send them any hardship or suffering, they
quickly become resentful, and murmur against Me.
3. A mercenary is a soldier who serves for pay rather than for any patriotic reasons. Should I
not call these selfish followers of Mine mercenaries? They are devoted to Me, not for
Myself but for My gifts. They follow Me for what they can get, not for what they can give.
They love themselves more than Me. If they realized what I mean to them, they would love
Me above all else, even above themselves. How few are those who serve Me without
selfinterest!
THINK:
It is so true. I-low often I have done good deeds with a selfish motive. Too many times I do
things for Jesus, but with a selfish reason. He was completely unselfish in His self-sacrifice
for me. I should never rest content until I have succeeded in serving Him for His own sake.
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He is all-good and all-lovable. No matter what I may do for Him, whatever it may cost me,
He deserves that and more. I owe Him my loyalty even when loyalty is difficult and
disagreeable to me. True, I cannot do anything for His sake without gaining many blessings
for myself, since God will not be outdone in generosity. Still, I should strive to purify my
motives by an honest desire to please Him without any gain to myself.
PRAY:
Jesus, my Lord and King, even if I got nothing from my labors and self-sacrifices, I ought to
serve you loyally because You deserve it. I wish to remember this truth in everything I do. I
yearn to live the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola which he wrote in his Prayer for
Generosity. In all my daily actions let me say with him: Dearest Lord, teach me to be
generous. Teach me to serve You as You deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight
and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not ask for any
reward, except that of knowing that I am doing Your will. My God, I hope to say this
wonderful prayer over and over again throughout the day. Grant that I may fulfill it in all
that happens today. Amen.

UNION THROUGHOUT THE DAY

CHAPTER 26
The Pure Desire for Heaven
CHRIST:
MY CHILD, I made all men for the perfect happiness of Heaven. He who strives for
Heaven, pleases Me because he is fulfilling the purpose of My creation. True, people want
Heaven for different reasons. Still, no matter what the reason, if one shows any degree of
love for Me, he shall enter into eternal life.
2. The love which I require is not a feeling, nor a sentiment. It is a love of appreciation, an
intelligent act of the will, based on the first truth. This first truth is that I am God, the
beginning and end of all creatures. All men are obliged to live their daily lives according to
this truth. They do it by surrendering their self-will to My supreme and all-wise Will. In this
self-surrender they show the love which I demand of all intelligent creatures. There are
numberless degrees of perfection in this love of appreciation, but they may be conveniently
divided into three degrees.
3. Some love Me only as much as they are obliged. They desire to avoid hell, since they
dread all harm and inconvenience to themselves. They surrender their self-will to Me only
enough to avoid serious sin. They disregard venial sins because they want to please
themselves as far as possible, without losing Heaven. Though these people are blindly and
foolishly selfish, they are, nevertheless, offering Me the love which I require of them. If they
die in the state of grace, they will eventually enter into Heaven, after they have been
completely purified of self-love in Purgatory.
4. Others rise to a higher degree of love for Me. They desire to be more generous with Me.
They seek to surrender themselves to My Will not only in serious matters, but also in lesser
things. They make an honest effort to eliminate all venial sins from their daily life. As they
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embrace My Will more fully, they die to self more completely. Much of their Purgatory is
fulfilled in their earthly life. They shall receive a higher heavenly glory than the first group.
5. There remains the highest degree of love for Me. Those in this class are not content with
opposing all sins, big and small. Their appreciation of Me rises higher still. They desire to
offer themselves entirely to Me by imitating Me in their daily life. Even where there is no
question of sin, they strive to abandon their natural preferences and to follow My example of
self-sacrifice. They have seen My goodness and have preferred it to all created things.
6. These generous souls are known as the pure of heart. They seek to live only for the
highest reason My eternal plan. I made man that he might become God-like on earth,
fulfilling My wisdom, growing in My goodness, and finally sharing My heavenly glory. The
pure of heart have only one desire-to please Me as much as they can in all things.
7. After a period of devoted and selfless love for Me, they feel a growing desire to be with
Me in the perfect friendship of Heaven. They want Heaven with a pure desire, a desire
which looks entirely to Me. They are not content with the incomplete friendship which they
enjoy with Me on earth. This interior yearning to be with Me completely and perfectly, is
My crowning gift to their souls. They shall receive the highest and most wonderful share of
Heaven's glory.
THINK:
Even holiness has its degrees, and further degrees within those degrees. People's generosity
with God varies with each individual. How far am I God's own and how far am I holding on
to my natural self-interest? Is there still a bit of self in my heavenly desires? God offers me
the very heights of holiness. How far am I willing to go with Him? These are very important
questions. Yes, when I feel eternity's door opening to me, I shall consider these the most
important of all questions. I can find the answers in my daily life and in my own intentions
for the future.
PRAY:
My God and my All! That should be the motto of my earthly life. You really are my God
and my All! Shall I refuse to make You my All in this life of mine? The greatest thing I can
do for myself is to forget self and follow Your holy Will in all that happens to me
throughout the day. Even in my yearning for Heaven I ought to let Your Will for me reign
supreme. I desire at last to make this earthly life of mine what You have always intended it
to be-a daily walking toward eternal life. Amen.

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